Sportsupdated 16m ago3 min read
Archive photo · 2 August 2023Xabi Alonso Frustrated After Chelsea Lose 1-0 to Sunderland at Stadium of Light
“Sunderland reconnected with identity in Chelsea win”
“Chelsea's struggles for identity continued in the 1-0 defeat by Sunderland.”
Photo: Arne Müseler / www.arne-mueseler.com, CC BY-SA 3.0 de · Cropped for layout
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Sunderland defeated Chelsea 1-0 at Stadium of Light, highlighting Alonso's struggling project. Chelsea have not defined an identity or stable midfield under Xabi Alonso.
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Chelsea identity questioned
Chelsea lost 1-0 to Sunderland at the Stadium of Light, and Xabi Alonso’s frustration was obvious as the Blues continued to search for an identity.
Alonso said, "No, he's stoppable. He's stoppable, but we have to do it better than we did today," after Sunderland’s Brian Brobbey won a 36th-minute penalty and Enzo le Fee converted it as Chelsea were denied a penalty moments earlier when Cole Palmer went down under a challenge from Luke O'Nien.
Chelsea lined up with a three-man midfield for the first time this season, but Pedro Neto again struggled to lead the line in a second consecutive match without a recognised striker.
Chelsea also created few clear chances, aside from a headed opportunity that £117m signing Morgan Rogers squandered, while Palmer struggled days after being left out of the England squad.
Alonso said, "There are situations. Yesterday Josh [Acheampong] said he was not ready to play, so we are short of options and we need to walk through this step," as injuries forced further changes to his starting XI.
Sunderland celebrate return
Sunderland ended a seven-game winless run in the Premier League with a 1-0 victory over Chelsea, and Regis Le Bris said the result delivered a "reconnection with our identity" as the team fought hard for the three points.
Le Bris told Sky Sports, "It was important before the international break to win again, so the three points are crucial in the league but also the reconnection with our identity and our fans," and he added that the style of play helped "the energy grow inside the stadium."
Enzo le Fee insisted there would be no celebrations while Sunderland remained in the relegation zone, and he said, "A big, big, big three points," after the 36th-minute penalty.
Le Fee also said, "No [celebrations]. We are really happy. We are still near the bottom of the league," and he pointed to the international break as time to rest after the win.
Sunderland’s win came after players were booed off following a 2-0 loss at home to Dinamo Zagreb in the Europa League on Thursday, and Sunderland returned to winning ways against Chelsea on Sunday.
Midfield crisis and next test
Chelsea’s identity problem has been tied to a midfield that remains a concern, with the Guardian noting that Chelsea’s average possession stands at 47.8% after nine league games and that Reece James has been out with a knee injury since September. The Guardian said Alonso will be forced into another change if Chelsea find themselves without Moisés Caicedo, because the Ecuadorian had not trained fully after feeling discomfort this week, and it identified Jordan Henderson as the obvious replacement. Alonso said, "Every time that the midfield area works, the team works better," and he pointed to Roméo Lavia as a player who can provide balance and connecting through balls.
The Guardian also said the £125m sale of Enzo Fernández to Manchester City left the midfield incomplete, and it added that a move for Monaco’s Lamine Camara broke down on deadline day while Bournemouth refused to sell Alex Scott after inquiries from Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool. With Chelsea facing the league’s bottom side, the Guardian framed the immediate stakes around whether Alonso can settle midfield partnerships and whether Lavia can stay fit, after Alonso said, "There has been a change," about Lavia’s physical preparation this season.