Xabi Alonso flags Chelsea defensive concerns after 4-3 Brighton win

Xabi Alonso admitted Chelsea still have significant defensive work to do after their 4-3 victory over Brighton, while playing down immediate fears over Moisés Caicedo’s latest injury scare.

Chelsea raced into a three-goal lead at Stamford Bridge through Roméo Lavia, Pedro Neto and João Pedro, but Brighton twice reduced the deficit to a single goal before Cole Palmer’s second-half strike ultimately proved decisive.

The result preserved Alonso’s perfect start to the Premier League season, but the manner of the victory left the Chelsea head coach with clear concerns.

Chelsea have now conceded five goals across their opening two league matches, despite taking maximum points.

That defensive instability was visible again against Brighton.

Alonso’s side controlled the opening phase and repeatedly broke through the visitors’ defensive structure, but their grip on the contest weakened significantly after Malick Yalcouyé pulled a goal back before half-time.

A João Pedro own goal then made it 3-2 after the interval and forced Chelsea into a much less controlled final phase.

The Guardian described Chelsea as increasingly chaotic once Brighton gained momentum, with Alonso visibly frustrated as his side struggled to manage transitions and protect their advantage.

The afternoon also produced a fresh concern over Caicedo.

The Ecuador international was introduced from the bench in the second half but lasted only a short period before signalling discomfort and leaving the pitch again.

Speaking after the match, Alonso indicated that Chelsea do not currently believe the problem represents a major setback.

According to talkSPORT, Alonso said Caicedo stopped because he felt something and suggested the decision to remove him was precautionary rather than evidence of a recurrence of his previous issue.

Further assessment is still expected before Chelsea determine his availability for the next match.

That distinction is important.

Caicedo has only recently returned to competitive action after an interrupted preparation, and Chelsea are unlikely to take risks with one of the most important players in Alonso’s midfield structure.

His brief appearance against Brighton also underlined why his fitness matters.

Chelsea’s midfield became increasingly stretched as the game opened up, with Brighton finding more space to progress directly through central areas during the second half.

Alonso therefore leaves the match with two different conclusions.

The attacking side of Chelsea’s early-season development is progressing quickly. Seven goals across their first two Premier League matches reflect the variety and quality currently available in the final third.

The defensive side is less settled.

Chelsea have already allowed two opponents back into matches after establishing advantageous positions, and Brighton came close to turning a 3-0 deficit into an improbable result.

Caicedo’s condition now adds another variable ahead of Chelsea’s next league test against Arsenal.

For Alonso, six points from six represents the ideal numerical start.

The performance against Brighton, however, offered a much clearer reminder that Chelsea’s control without the ball remains some distance behind their attacking development.