Chelsea Week in Review, Monday 9th November: Sunderland Sting Ends Good Week After Man Utd Rout
It was a week of two very different results for Xabi Alonso's side. Chelsea began by thrashing Manchester United 2-0 at Stamford Bridge, with Roméo Lavia the standout performer and named Man of the Match (We Ain't Got No History) (Football.London). Marcos Alonso praised Lavia's recognition for his top form (ChelseaFC.com), while Football.London noted Alonso's honest admission that Lavia's displays mean there's no need to rush others back (Football.London). Steven Gerrard even warned his old teammate Alonso that Lavia could become a real asset, drawing comparisons to the Joao Pedro 'problem' of having too many good options (Football.London). Estevao Willian also dazzled against United, with Alonso reportedly choosing the Red Devils as the perfect opponent to help the Brazilian build up his physicality (The Sun), and there were suggestions his fine form could keep him in the side for Sunderland (Football.London). Goalkeeper Mike Penders was also spotted employing a 'vaseline trick' during the win (The Sun), and Chelsea picked up seven standout stats from the victory (ChelseaFC.com).
Unfortunately the good feeling didn't last, as Chelsea were beaten 1-0 away at Sunderland at the Stadium of Light, with Enzo Le Fee converting a penalty won by Brian Brobbey after a foul by Levi Colwill, lifting the Black Cats off the bottom of the table (Sky Sports) (BBC Sport). Alonso was blunt afterwards, saying he was "not happy with the performance or result" (ChelseaFC.com), and he reportedly criticised his own defenders for being dominated by Brobbey, declaring "he's not unstoppable" (The Sun). Granit Xhaka was forced off for Sunderland after just three minutes (The Sun), while Morgan Rogers was shown on footage appearing to knee Trai Hume in the head without being sent off (Football.London). Chelsea also had penalty appeals of their own waved away by VAR after a challenge on Cole Palmer (GiveMeSport). We Ain't Got No History ran their post-match ratings from the defeat (We Ain't Got No History), and the BBC's panel also looked at why defenders struggle against Brobbey (BBC Sport).
There was a significant international blow for Cole Palmer this week, as England manager Thomas Tuchel left him out of his Nations League squad despite Chelsea confirming he was fully fit (The Sun) (Mirror). Tuchel said Palmer "misses too many opportunities to impress" and insisted the decision was "not personal" (BBC Sport), while the Mirror described it as a "brutal" snub and a warning to other England hopefuls (Mirror). Alonso responded by saying he doesn't discuss Palmer's England situation with him directly, but is "very happy" with his quality and attitude at Chelsea (Sports Mole) (BBC Sport).
On the injury front, Chelsea picked up a triple boost with players returning to training at Cobham, though there was also a scare involving Moises Caicedo (Football.London), who later dropped a hint over his own fitness ahead of the Sunderland trip (Evening Standard). Emiliano Martinez, who broke his jaw during the win at Everton, was reported to be nearing a shock comeback just weeks later (The Sun), with Argentina's squad decision also providing a fresh update on his situation (Sports Mole). Alonso gave the latest on Caicedo and Anselmino's fitness (ChelseaFC.com), while Josh Acheampong was left out of the squad to face Sunderland, with Alonso explaining the reasoning alongside the Martinez update (Evening Standard).
In transfer talk, Fabrizio Romano reportedly revealed Chelsea have made a final decision on a "big proposal" from Barcelona for Estevao Willian (TeamTalk), while Football365 reported Chelsea have also decided whether to sell the winger to Arsenal (Football365). Jamie Carragher gave his verdict on the impact of Morgan Rogers since his £117million move to Stamford Bridge, suggesting Alonso is "desperate" for more from him (Football.London). Chelsea were also reportedly told to move for Trent Alexander-Arnold amid his struggles for game time at Real Madrid (Football.London), while Boubacar Kamara of Aston Villa is said to be on Chelsea's watchlist (BBC Sport).
Away from the first team, former Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior spoke out for the first time since his sacking, insisting "I'm not a joke" and hinting at an untold story behind his exit (Evening Standard) (Sports Mole) (Football365). Chelsea's Next Gen side suffered defeat to an Estonian side in Europe despite young winger Ibrahim Rabbaj, dubbed the "Moroccan Messi", making an instant impact (The Sun). Elsewhere, academy player Genesis Antwi earned a surprise call-up to the Sweden squad under former Chelsea boss Graham Potter (The Sun), and new signing Marco Palestra admitted he needs to improve following a slow start (Evening Standard).
In the women's game, Chelsea were held to a 1-1 draw by Everton in the WSL, surrendering top spot as Manchester City made a title statement by thrashing West Ham 5-0 (Sky Sports), with the BBC noting the title race is hotting up ahead of a huge Chelsea v Manchester City showdown (BBC Sport). London City Lionesses also closed the gap on second place with a win over Birmingham (BBC Sport). Chelsea Women were also previewed ahead of their Women's Champions League clash with BK Hacken (Sports Mole), while Giulia Dragoni spoke of her wish for young Italian girls to dream of playing for Chelsea (ChelseaFC.com).
Chelsea now turn their attention to the final international break of the calendar year, with Alonso facing a mix of fitness calls and a midfield still finding its identity under him, as pointed out by the Guardian following the injuries to key men like Caicedo and Lavia (The Guardian).
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