Chelsea’s 3–2 win at Fulham offered a tantalising glimpse of Xabi Alonso’s title-chasing potential, but also exposed a familiar vulnerability that could derail their Premier League ambitions.


1. A devastating, record-breaking front three

The headline story from Craven Cottage was Chelsea’s new attacking trio: Cole Palmer, João Pedro and club-record signing Morgan Rogers. All three scored in Alonso’s first league game, with Palmer also providing the assist for João Pedro’s opener just 31 seconds into the match – Chelsea’s fastest goal since October 2016.


Rogers, in particular, made history: he became the first Chelsea player to score on his Premier League debut since Christopher Nkunku in 2023 and the first to create five chances in his first league appearance since records began in 2003–04. His physicality, movement and link-up with Palmer, described by Rogers as his “best friend in football”, looked instantly fluent, while João Pedro, rejuvenated after missing Brazil’s World Cup squad, continued his pre-season scoring form.

Former United defender Gary Neville called the front three “electric”, and Jamie Carragher said they are “as good as anything in the Premier League right now”. If this trio stay fit and firing, Chelsea has the attacking firepower to trouble any defence.


2. Palmer back to his best and hungry

After an injury-hit 18 months that saw him drop out of England’s World Cup squad, Cole Palmer looked refreshed and ruthless against Fulham. His dribbling, creativity and work-rate were on full display, and he capped the performance with a goal to take him within two strikes of 50 Premier League goals.


Palmer said he used the summer to “rest, recharge” and is now “ready and hungry”, echoing his pre-season talk of having a point to prove. Neville described his display as “sensational” and “the old Cole Palmer”, suggesting he could be the catalyst for Chelsea’s title challenge if he maintains this level.


3. Alonso’s clear attacking identity and leadership demand

Alonso has quickly imposed an attacking identity, using a fluid 3–4–2–1/3–4–3 structure that maximizes the freedom of his front three while demanding they “lead the rest” of the team. He told BBC Match of the Day: “We know if we reach them in good positions, they have this talent to create special things… They need to take responsibility; they need to inspire the rest.”


This clarity of role and expectation could accelerate Chelsea’s development under a new manager, giving them a coherent tactical framework that many rivals still lack this early in the season.


The big concern: Robert Sanchez in goal

Despite the attacking brilliance, the same old question resurfaced: can Chelsea win the league with Robert Sanchez as their first-choice goalkeeper?


Sanchez was at fault for both Fulham goals: he let Josh King’s low 23rd-minute strike slip through his hands (an xGoT of just 0.05) and then parried Timothy Castagne’s shot into a dangerous area for Gonzalo García to head in. Neville argued that a goalkeeper who is “making mistakes and is anxious… will undermine everything you’re trying to do”, while Carragher warned: “They have to sort the goalkeeping issue out because it’s going to come back and haunt them again this season.”


Alonso defended Sanchez publicly, stressing collective responsibility and saying “all the lines… we want to do better in everything”, but also noted before the match that “the pitch is the boss… the players need to show me”. With the transfer window still open, many fans and pundits believe Chelsea must upgrade between the posts if they are serious title contenders.