Despite Chelsea's convincing 2-0 triumph over Manchester United at Stamford Bridge, manager Xabi Alonso continues to face concerns over his team's defensive performances.

According to The Athletic in a report published on Sunday, November 1, 2026, the Blues still have considerable defensive problems, particularly regarding Wesley Fofana's inconsistent displays, repeated injury setbacks and the absence of an experienced leader capable of organising the backline.

Chelsea's latest victory secured their second clean sheet in three Premier League outings, providing further encouragement after enduring a disappointing nine-month period in which they failed to prevent their opponents from scoring across 23 consecutive league matches.

Mike Penders was instrumental in maintaining the clean sheet against Manchester United, making an impressive save in the second half to deny Bryan Mbeumo. The goalkeeper had previously helped Chelsea achieve another shutout during their encounter with Everton.

However, the result did little to erase the concerns surrounding Chelsea's defensive organisation. Manchester United managed to create several dangerous opportunities in the first half, while Matheus Cunha saw a goal disallowed following a decision that was considered particularly tight.

Wesley Fofana was among the players who attracted criticism for his defensive display. The centre-back surrendered possession on one occasion, giving Amad Diallo an opportunity to threaten Chelsea's goal. He was also exposed during another attacking move by United, highlighting concerns about his awareness, concentration and overall defensive consistency.

Furthermore, Fofana's disciplinary record has become another worrying issue. The report states that he has been sent off twice in 25 appearances and collected seven yellow cards in 14 matches.

The situation has been made more difficult by Chelsea's persistent injury problems, which have prevented Alonso from regularly selecting his preferred defensive players. Gusto, Colwill, Chavarria, Lacroix, Anselmino and Reece James have all been sidelined at various points this season.

Lacroix's recent hamstring injury has created another setback for the Spanish manager, leaving him with limited defensive alternatives as Chelsea prepare for a challenging fixture schedule.

Interestingly, these concerns remain despite the club spending around £130 million on new defensive signings during the summer. The report suggests that additional investment will still be required to address the team's weaknesses.

Chelsea are consequently expected to assess the centre-back market ahead of the January transfer window, with bringing in an experienced defender viewed as an important step towards establishing stronger leadership and organisation at the back.

While the victory against Manchester United represents a positive result for Alonso's team, Chelsea must address their defensive shortcomings and develop greater consistency if they are to compete seriously for major honours.