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"We Need More Clean Sheets", Xabi Alonso Says

4 days ago

Chelsea head coach Xabi Alonso has challenged his players to build on their defensive improvement after the Blues secured a crucial 2-0 Premier League victory over Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.Pedro Neto scored twice to give Chelsea all three points on Saturday, October 17, 2026, while the team recorded its first Premier League clean sheet since January. The result offered encouragement for Alonso, who has been keen to see his side combine attacking quality with greater defensive discipline.Alonso Praises Chelsea's Defensive MaturitySpeaking after the victory, Alonso expressed satisfaction with both the performance and the result, highlighting the importance of securing a convincing away win. He felt Chelsea approached the contest with the seriousness and composure required to handle a difficult Premier League fixture.The Spanish coach acknowledged that Everton created moments when Chelsea had to defend, particularly during the first half. However, he was pleased with how his players managed those situations, maintained control and waited for opportunities to make their attacking quality count.Alonso also praised the team's work in possession, explaining that Chelsea created chances while limiting Everton's opportunities. For the manager, the performance demonstrated the maturity and tactical discipline he wants to see more consistently throughout the season.Chelsea Must Build on Their First Clean SheetDespite celebrating the defensive achievement, Alonso was quick to stress that one clean sheet is not enough. Chelsea have previously shown they can score goals, but maintaining defensive solidity will be essential if they are to compete consistently in the Premier League.The manager believes the breakthrough was a result of continued work on the training ground and wants his players to maintain the same professional approach in upcoming matches.Alonso's message is clear: Chelsea cannot afford to treat the Everton result as the end of their defensive problems. Instead, it must become the foundation for further improvement.With Neto delivering the goals and the defence finally shutting out an opponent in the league, Chelsea have a positive result to build upon. The challenge now is to turn that performance into a regular pattern.For Alonso, more clean sheets will be just as important as scoring goals as Chelsea look to maintain momentum and strengthen their Premier League ambitions.

The Caicedo Effect: How Chelsea’s Main Man Is Restoring Defensive Balance

4 days ago

Moises Caicedo is back, and Chelsea are already looking like a more balanced team. The Ecuadorian midfielder has brought renewed stability to Xabi Alonso’s side, helping the Blues protect their defence, control midfield and move the ball forward with greater confidence.Since Caicedo returned to the starting lineup, Chelsea have won two consecutive matches, scoring seven goals and conceding just one. The Blues thrashed Bournemouth 5-1 before securing a 2-0 victory over Everton, recording their first clean sheet of the season in the process. Caicedo Keeps Chelsea CompactOne of Caicedo’s biggest strengths is his positional discipline. He understands when to step forward and challenge an opponent and when to hold his position to protect the space in front of the defence.His presence makes it harder for opponents to play through Chelsea’s midfield. By closing passing lanes, winning duels and recovering possession, he reduces the pressure on the centre-backs and helps the team maintain a compact defensive shape.Against Bournemouth, Caicedo recorded four successful tackles, the highest tally in the match. From Shielding the Defence to Progressing the BallCaicedo offers much more than defensive protection. His composure in possession allows Chelsea to move the ball from the defensive line into midfield without constantly resorting to hurried passes.Under Alonso, his positioning also helps create passing options during the build-up. Once possession is secured, Caicedo can distribute the ball to advanced teammates and help Chelsea transition quickly into attack. His partnership with Jordan Henderson has also provided valuable balance between defensive work and forward movement. The Numbers Tell the StorySince Caicedo’s return:Matches played: 2Goals scored: 7Goals conceded: 1Clean sheets: 1 — Chelsea’s first of the seasonGoals conceded per 90: From 2.4 before his return to 0.5 since his return, according to the supplied figures.Two matches are only an early indication, but the improvement is encouraging.The main man is back. If Caicedo stays fit and maintains this level, Chelsea could finally have the midfield foundation needed to turn attacking firepower into consistent results.

The Last 10 Chelsea No. 9s: Goals, Assists and Appearances

1 week ago

Chelsea’s No. 9 shirt has become one of the most talked-about numbers in Premier League football. From prolific strikers to expensive signings who struggled to deliver, the iconic shirt has carried enormous expectations at Stamford Bridge. But how have the last 10 players to wear Chelsea’s No. 9 actually performed?For this feature, the key statistics are Chelsea appearances, goals and assists (G/A). One important distinction: the club has had several No. 9s over the years, and the order depends on whether we count only permanent senior players, loan spells or every official shirt-number change. The figures also vary between statistical databases, particularly for assists.The last 10 Chelsea No. 9s ranked by their Chelsea careersThe following list runs from the most recent shirt holders backwards. The appearance and goal figures are based on their Chelsea spells in competitive matches; totals can differ across databases depending on competitions counted.1. João Pedro — 2026–presentAppearances: 5  Goals: 5 Assists: 3The Brazilian took the shirt for the 2026/27 season after an outstanding debut campaign in which he was named Chelsea’s Player of the Season. His 2025/26 contribution was 20 goals and six assists in 50 appearances across competitions, making him one of the club’s most productive recent forwards. 2. Liam Delap — 2025/26Appearances: 47 · Goals: 3  Assists: 4Signed from Ipswich Town, Delap inherited the famous number in June 2025. The powerful English striker brought physicality and pressing, but struggled to score consistently in his first Chelsea campaign. He made his switch to Notttingham Forest after just one season. 3. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang — 2022/23Appearances: 21 · Goals: 3 Assists: 1The former Arsenal captain arrived from Barcelona hoping to revive Chelsea’s attack. Instead, he endured a difficult season, scoring only three times before leaving Stamford Bridge. He endured a turbulent season that saw chelsea managed by four different managers: Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter, Bruno Saltor, and Frank Lampard 4. Romelu Lukaku — 2021/22Appearances: 44 · Goals: 15 Assists: 0Chelsea brought Lukaku back from Inter Milan for a club-record fee at the time. He scored important goals, including in the Champions League, but struggled for consistency and returned to Inter on loan the following season.5. Tammy Abraham — 2019–21Appearances: 82 · Goals: 30 Assists: 4Abraham was among the more successful modern holders of the shirt. His goals helped Chelsea secure Champions League qualification in 2019/20, although he later lost his regular starting place. 6. Gonzalo Higuaín — 2019Appearances: 19 · Goals: 5  Assists: 0The Argentine joined on loan from Juventus. He scored five goals, but his short spell never developed into a long-term solution for Chelsea’s centre-forward position. 7. Álvaro Morata — 2017–19Appearances: 72 · Goals: 24  Assists: 6Morata made a promising start after joining from Real Madrid, but injuries and inconsistent finishing affected his Chelsea career. He eventually left on loan for Atlético Madrid. 8. Radamel Falcao — 2015/16Appearances: 12 · Goals: 1After struggling at Manchester United, Falcao joined Chelsea on loan. Injuries limited his opportunities, and he managed just one goal during another disappointing Premier League spell.9. Fernando Torres — 2011–15Appearances: 172 · Goals: 45 Assists: 35Torres struggled to reproduce his Liverpool form consistently, but still delivered memorable moments, including his famous Barcelona goal in the 2012 Champions League semifinal. He won the Champions League and Europa League with Chelsea. 10. Franco Di Santo — 2008–10Appearances: 16 · Goals: 0The young Argentine forward was viewed as a prospect but struggled to break into Chelsea’s first team. He left without scoring a senior competitive goal for the club.Is Chelsea’s No. 9 shirt cursed?Chelsea’s recent history explains why fans talk about a No. 9 curse. Torres won major trophies, Abraham delivered 30 goals, and Lukaku scored 15 in one season, but several other players struggled to justify expectations. João Pedro now has the opportunity to change that narrative.For Chelsea supporters, the question is simple: can João Pedro become the club’s next truly successful No. 9?

Joao Pedro Has Already Surpassed His Brighton EPL Goal Tally at Chelsea

1 week ago

João Pedro is proving to be a fantastic signing for Chelsea, having already scored more Premier League goals for the Blues than he managed during his entire spell at Brighton and Hove Albion.The Brazilian forward has made an impressive start to life at Stamford Bridge, establishing himself as a key figure in Chelsea’s attack and demonstrating why the club invested in his services.According to the Premier League’s career statistics, João Pedro scored 19 Premier League goals in 56 appearances for Brighton, providing nine assists. At Chelsea, he has already registered 20 goals in 40 Premier League appearances, alongside eight assists, according to the figures in the accompanying graphic.That means João Pedro has surpassed his Brighton goal tally in 16 fewer appearances, underlining his improved scoring rate in a Chelsea shirt.His goalscoring form has continued into the 2026/27 campaign. In Chelsea’s emphatic 5-1 victory over Bournemouth on October 10, João Pedro scored twice, helping the Blues secure an important Premier League win. Chelsea’s official website has also highlighted his versatility, technical ability and growing influence in the team.The 25-year-old Brazilian can operate as a central striker or in other attacking positions, giving Chelsea valuable tactical flexibility. His movement, finishing and ability to link up with teammates have made him an increasingly important part of the Blues’ forward line.With his Chelsea Premier League goal tally already beyond his Brighton total, João Pedro will be eager to keep scoring and help Chelsea challenge for major honours.Can João Pedro become one of the Premier League’s most prolific forwards at Chelsea?