Chelsea's potent attack and weak defense points to one thing: Get ready for chaotic fun

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  Tom HamiltonAug 24, 2026, 05:28 PM ET

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  • Joined ESPN in 2011
  • Covered two Olympics, a pair of Rugby World Cups and two British & Irish Lions tours
  • Previously rugby editor, and became senior writer in 2018

LONDON -- We've seen plenty of false dawns at Chelsea. But whatever happens under new coach Xabi Alonso in a sport of rare guarantees, one thing's for sure: it'll be fun. In the club's opener of the new Premier League season, this was a rollercoaster of an introduction to life at Chelsea.

At Fulham, we saw Alonso's team play with fresh intensity, attacking endeavour and purpose as they won 3-2 over their local neighbours on Monday evening. But for all the attacking brilliance, we also saw Chelsea's defence split open with error-strewn familiarity.

Chelsea were wonderful heading forward, and vulnerable at the back -- some things change, but others stay the same regardless of who comes and goes.

As Alonso began his Chelsea stint with a win, the front three of Morgan Rogers, Cole Palmer and João Pedro was wonderfully deadly. All three came away with goals, and we saw their collective threat in full flight after just 30 seconds when Pedro scored the opener.

But nothing is ever straightforward on the blue side of west London. And for all the change in the dugout and yet another active, blockbuster summer in the transfer market, there are familiar concerns over the defence and goalkeeper. Since the takeover in 2022, Chelsea have spent well into eight figures but are yet to find a rock-solid No.1 in goal.

This was an opening round thriller on a calm evening in west London. Both teams had lapses at the back, but were committed to playing at full throttle, offering an enthralling end-to-end occasion symptomatic of two sides still adjusting to the huge changes over the summer.

For the hosts, Marco Silva is no longer in charge of Fulham, with ex-Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa in the hot seat. His great friend, former Liverpool and Spain teammate and the man he replaced at Real Madrid, Alonso was in the opposite dugout. They spoke earlier in the week about life in London. But correspondence ceased just a few days out from the match -- that's what happens when it's down to business in the local derby.

There was quiet optimism from supporters of both teams who live just a couple of miles apart. Chelsea's fans were excited about seeing their new-look Alonso-ified side, complete with 3-4-2-1 formation. Chelsea were without Moisés Caicedo who suffered a knock in the week while new signing Marco Palestra was also absent, leaving Rogers and Maxence Lacroix the two new faces in the starting line-up.

But there were also reminders of issues Alonso inherited to be ironed out before the transfer window slams shut. Enzo Fernández was roundly booed when his name was read out pre-match, and he was given a robust welcome when he was introduced in the second half.

For Fulham, they fielded both new Real Madrid recruits in Gonzalo García and César Palacios. Along with Arbeloa, there was a feeling of a fresh start here at Craven Cottage.

The Fulham fans were spun into a pre-match frenzy with free scarves, and constant reminders from the announcer of how they are the original London club. But football can punch you in the face, and that bubble of optimism and space to dream was burst before several fans had taken their seats.

It took less than a minute for Chelsea to click. A Lacroix clearing header befuddled Fulham and gave Palmer time to find Pedro who flicked the ball over the onrushing Bernd Leno. It was ruthless, vertical brilliance.

But then came reminders of the pre-Alonso Chelsea, with both Levi Colwill and Romeo Lavia picking up yellow cards in the first 12 minutes for rash fouls, a reminder of their disciplinary issues last term when they collected 11 red cards. It gave Fulham a chance to turn the tide and they grew into the match.

Robert Sánchez was looking increasingly uncertain in goal, struggling to clear the ball accurately and allowing one pass-back out for a corner. The Fulham crowd lapped it up, and Josh King eventually broke through with a shot at Sanchez's near-post which the Chelsea goalkeeper let through his outstretched arms. King played brilliantly, but Sanchez should have done far better.

But Chelsea's attack was lively. And they took the lead into the break their attacking threat clicked up front. Palmer had seen plenty of the ball and was playing with the sort of freedom and license to thrill we saw before his tricky time last season. He was pivotal in their second as his movement gave Lacroix space to turn a Fulham defender and find an unmarked Rogers at the far post.

Chelsea then made it three soon after the break with Pedro teeing up Palmer who fired home after some slack Fulham defending, but soon the hosts found their way back, with Sanchez again culpable. Colwill lost the flight of the ball, allowing Timothy Castagne to get a shot off which Sanchez parried back into the danger zone, with Garcia on hand to nod home the rebound.

Antonee Robinson then had a superb chance to draw things level as a long ball split the Chelsea defence allowing the U.S. defender time against the on-rushing Sanchez, but his lobbed effort sailed just wide of the post. Pedro had an effort ruled out, and as the match ticked into injury time, Fulham continued to pull and prod, but couldn't get the equaliser. At full time Alonso looked resolute. Job done, only just.

There's a feeling this could yet be a Chelsea season defined by what they've missed out on. No European football will work in their favour, in terms of saving legs and focusing on the league. Being left out of England and Brazil's squads has clearly lit a fire in Palmer and Joao Pedro's respective stomachs.

They've also done some astute problem-solving over the summer. In the BlueCo ownership era, they've lacked experience with the focus on youth -- they have that sorted with Jordan Henderson and Danny Welbeck. They have a brilliant, newly-titled manager in the dugout who has the respect of the squad -- this is no longer a job for a head coach. And they still have time to add to their group, while trimming down players no longer needed.

Defensive stability can be nurtured with time together, and Lacroix offers a valuable presence there. That familiarity will grow. Sanchez remains an issue in goal, but with more stability in front of him and the return of Caicedo, perhaps those errors will iron themselves out. But what remains irresistible is their attacking threat.

We've seen some famous trios in football, and in Pedro, Rogers and Palmer, Chelsea have the foundations of something truly exciting. Talk of league aspirations is far too early, but this is going to be an enthralling season under Alonso.

It's a club where things seldom seem to go to script, but despite issues at the back, the attacking threat is enough to send Chelsea fans home back down the Fulham Road excited about their start under Alonso.