Xabi Alonso has taken full responsibility for Chelsea’s narrow 1-0 defeat at Sunderland, choosing to focus on his team's lack of clinical edge rather than the officiating. Despite several contentious VAR decisions at the Stadium of Light, the Blues boss insisted that defensive lapses were the primary reason for their failure to secure a result.
Chelsea's tactical dominance counted for nothing on Wearside as Xabi Alonso's men failed to convert dominant possession into a result. A first-half penalty from Enzo Le Fee proved the difference in a disappointing afternoon for the visitors.
Chelsea head coach Xabi Alonso has challenged his squad to earn their place back among Europe’s elite following a promising start to his debut season at Stamford Bridge. While the Spaniard has utilised a lighter schedule to implement his tactical ideas, he admits he is desperate to swap quiet training weeks for the chaos of continental competition.