John Obi Mikel is just one Chelsea fan who is angry after the Blues’ 2-0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur over the weekend.

Chelsea were beaten and outclassed by their London rivals, having very little to complain about following the full-time whistle. Cole Palmer was rightly sent off, while Xabi Alonso got his tactics horribly wrong.

With Joao Pedro out injured, the Spaniard started Morgan Rogers up front. It was a decision that backfired and baffled many, who could not understand why Danny Welbeck was not given a starting opportunity and why he was brought on so late in the game.

John Obi Mikel urges Chelsea board to give Xabi Alonso time

Chelsea have not been convincing at all under Alonso. They are being dominated in midfield and are struggling defensively.

However, Mikel is not hitting the panic button yet and has urged the Chelsea board to show Alonso patience. For the former Chelsea midfielder, Alonso is still a “brilliant” manager.

Speaking on The Obi One Podcast, Mikel said: “Xabi Alonso, for me, still remains a brilliant, brilliant manager, young manager. I think we need to give him time. I think what he’s trying to build with this squad is going to be absolutely brilliant going forward. We just need to give him time.”

What was really disappointing about the Spurs defeat was Alonso’s refusal to act. As Chelsea were being dominated, Alonso could have easily brought on Romeo Lavia to give the team more control.

Lavia was not brought on, though, and Chelsea’s first change only came in the 64th minute when Alonso swapped a left-back for a right-back. It was truly a night to forget for the Blues.

John Obi Mikel has still been critical of Xabi Alonso’s set-up

While Mikel is still backing Alonso despite that humiliating defeat to Spurs, he has been critical of the Chelsea manager’s set-up this season. Mikel has taken real issue with what he perceives as a lack of cover from two holding midfielders.

Speaking about Chelsea in another episode of The Obi One Podcast last month, the former Nigeria international said: “Yes, we got £125m sitting in the bank, but we failed to bring in another player and that’s why we are suffering right now.

“We talk about leaking goals. Yes, we can blame the defence, but you need at least two holding players to be able to shield and protect the back-four in that system. You need that because you’re going to be exposed.”

Ultimately, there is a real lack of balance in this Chelsea set-up right now. Going forward, the Blues have been tremendous. But at times, their backline really has been exposed. Therefore, Alonso does need time to address this and become a success at Stamford Bridge.