Xabi Alonso just said what every Chelsea fan does NOT want to hear

Chelsea have been entertaining in their Premier League and Carabao Cup matches, with Xabi Alonso bringing a sense of exhilarating football to Stamford Bridge.

The smiles on faces around Stamford Bridge were clear to see during the second half of last night’s 6-3 victory over Leeds United, as Chelsea’s attacking stars turned the Bridge into a football theatre for those inside the stadium and Blues fans watching from home.

Goals from Pedro Neto and Valentin Barco and doubles from Cole Palmer and Danny Welbeck ensured a comeback after Leeds went 2-0 up in 50 minutes before the flair and freedom came to the fore.

However, the Spanish manager has admitted that he would like to put the handbrake on some of that attacking freedom and shore things up defensively because, sometimes, you have to win ugly. Even if it means taking a little of the fun out of the party.

So we need to keep working on the good things and keep on improving other things. We want to have better balance, to be more solid, to be able to win in a boring game as well, if that happens.

The statement will appeal to the more pragmatic Chelsea fan, but perhaps leave those who want to be entertained week in and week out wishing for more. It may not be music to the ears of supporters in the Shed End and Matthew Harding Stand, but there is logic behind the manager’s thinking.

Over a long season, Chelsea cannot afford to turn every match into a six-goal thriller; sometimes, controlling a game and keeping a clean sheet is just as valuable as putting on a show.

In total, Chelsea have scored 16 goals in five games, averaging 3.2 goals per match. However, they have also conceded 10 in the same number of games. While that gives them a healthy +6 goal difference, the Chelsea manager knows his side cannot rely on that kind of goal-fest throughout the season, especially if they want to consistently pick up points.

A clean sheet and a few goals against Hull City and Brentford at the weekend will do the manager a lot of good going into the prolonged international break.