Xabi Alonso warned he has given new Chelsea signing an ‘impossible’ job

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 6: Xabi Alonso manager / head coach of Chelsea during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Arsenal FC and Chelsea FC at Emirates Stadium on September 6, 2026 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
Xabi Alonso watched his side new-look Chelsea side lose 2-1 against Arsenal (Picture: Getty)

Frank Leboeuf fears it won’t be long until one of Chelsea’s new signings isreduced to screaming at his teammates having been handed an ‘impossible’ task by Xabi Alonso.

The new-look Blues were handed a reality check by champions Arsenal on Sunday, who ran out worthy 2-1 winners in this season’s first heavyweight clash.

Alonso’s side were unable to build on the early lead handed to them by Morgan Rogers’ early strike and were unable to contain and Arsenal forward line which benefited from Martin Odegaard’s virtuoso display.

Only an excellent display from Chelsea’s new No.1 goalkeeper, Emiliano Martinez, prevented the Gunners from adding to the goals provided by Kai Havertz and Odegaard.

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While the Argentina international was partially at fault for Havertz’s equaliser, when he was beaten at his near post, he had no chance with Odegaard’s matchwinning strike after he was left completely exposed by a defence that remains a work in progress.

The Blues have already conceded seven goals in three Premier League games this season and Leboeuf, a former Chelsea defender himself, has warned Alonso the recent recruit from Aston Villa can only do so much to bail his teammates out.

epa13217887 Arsenal's Martin Odegaard (not pictured) scores their second goal past Chelsea goal keeper Emiliano Martinez during the English Premier League match Arsenal FC against Chelsea FC, in London, Britain, 06 September 2026. EPA/DANIEL HAMBURY EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos, 'live' services or NFTs. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications.
Emiliano Martinez was left totally exposed for Arsenal’s winning goal (Credits: EPA)

‘He has to make the people click, that was kind of awful the people don’t know what to do,’Leboeuf told ESPNFC when asked about Chelsea’s defensive fragility.

‘I think Emiliano Martinez is going to be upset soon. He doesn’t say anything now because he just signed, he doesn’t want to be unpolite maybe, but he’s going to start screaming very soon because that’s impossible.

‘Especially again, Fofana he doesn’t know what to do, he has the help of Hato on the left side, which is not the case for Acheampong who couldn’t count on Neto, it was more Lavia trying to help.

Arsenal's Kai Havertz kicks the ball ahead of Chelsea's Wesley Fofana during the English Premier League soccer match between Arsenal and Chelsea in London, Sunday, Sept. 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Dave Shopland)
Wesley Fofana had a difficult afternoon up against Kai Havertz (Source: AP)

‘They have to try working better and talk to each other. For me Lacroix has to be with Colwill and do something for the others.

‘The others are kind of lost maybe because of inexperience, maybe not good enough, maybe too young.

‘But they have to click, if you want to do something you know this.

‘Chelsea have proven that when you used to win titles you have to be good defensively and when you have that then you can approach something.

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‘They are very good offensively, but when they lose the ball they become very fragile.

‘That’s the aspect of the game they have to improve.

‘They can threaten any team, any club, any time. But it’ so open at times it’s unbearable to see, you cannot lose the ball otherwise you’re in danger.’

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