Chelsea player ratings so far this season as Cole Palmer dazzles and Xabi Alonso let down

Chelsea player rating so far this season as Xabi Alonso works hard to turn things around at Stamford Bridge.

Xabi Alonso has steadied the ship at Stamford Bridge, and there's a lot to look forward to after the international break.

By next month, Marco Palestra, who would likely have been among the first names on the teamsheet had he not suffered an injury, could be available for selection again. The Chelsea defender made a great impression in pre-season, but unfortunately sustained a knock in the build-up to the opening weekend of the campaign.

So, the Blues boss has had no choice but to either start Pedro Neto or Malo Gusto, who had reported late to pre-season following the World Cup, at right wing-back instead. With Moises Caicedo nursing an injury and Enzo Fernandez no longer at the club, having joined Manchester City for a joint British transfer record fee of £125million on deadline day, Alonso has used a number of combinations in central midfield, too, with Jordan Henderson partnering Valentin Barco against Brentford on Friday night.

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Chelsea have been successful going forward, though, with the front three of Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and Joao Pedro causing defenders all sorts of problems in the opening weeks of the season.

Xabi Alonso – 7

Through no fault of his own, Alonso has had to squeeze square pegs in round holes, and he's just about managed to keep Chelsea afloat. Had the sporting directors at least signed a replacement midfielder, such as Lamine Camara or Alex Scott, the first weeks of the season might have gone differently.

Fortunately for Alonso, though, he's built one of the strongest frontlines in the country. Now, the Blues boss just needs to grant the likes of Estevao Willian and Geovany Quenda greater roles, so, in the event of an injury to either Palmer or Rogers, they're ready to hit the ground running.

More importantly, though, Alonso needs to plug Chelsea's leaky backline. Once the Spaniard finds the formula for a clean sheet, everything else will click into place...

Average Chelsea starting lineup

Emi Martinez – 6

Martinez hasn't quite had the desired impact at Chelsea, but his teammates haven't done him any favours at all. The Blues shot-stopper has made the third most saves in the Premier League so far this season, while averaging 4.5 saves per 90 minutes.

It's also worth noting that Chelsea haven't managed to keep a clean sheet in the English top-flight for 21 games. Martinez has done well, but he's faced far too many shots, which reflects the team's overall performance.

Yes, it's his job to stop the ball from going in the net, but the 34-year-old should be the last line of the defence. Someone who can pull a rabbit out of a hat to stop the Blues from dropping points. Not someone who picks up the pieces of a leaky backline.

Levi Colwill – 6

Colwill has fallen a little short of expectations so far this season. The Chelsea defender, who was a tremendous addition to the backline at the end of last term following a lengthy spell on the sidelines, has largely been deployed at left centre-half, which is a new position in some respects.

Rather than feature at the heart of the backline, where he's previously been able to dictate play with his great range of passing, Colwill has been forced to distribute the ball from different angles and defend in wider spaces. Once the 23-year-old comes to terms with Alonso's demands from the role, he could explode into one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League.

Maxence Lacroix – 6

Lacroix has hit the ground running at Chelsea, seamlessly slotting into the middle of the back-three. Of course, having played a key role in a side that's conceded more goals than any other in the Premier League doesn't look great on paper.

But the Blues defender has been a welcome addition to the defence, especially in a market where a team without UEFA Champions League qualification sought to sign a top centre-half.

Wesley Fofana – 6

Fofana appears to have turned over a new leaf. The Chelsea defender fell wildly short of expectations last season, but under Alonso, he's done well to keep his role on the right of the back-three, with Josh Acheampong catching the eye whenever called upon.

Jorrel Hato – 5

Hato was one of the few standout performers for Chelsea last season. This term, though, the Blues defender, who's been deployed as a wing-back rather than a full-back or centre-half, hasn't had the desired impact, leaving the door open for Pep Chavarria, a natural in the position, to cement a place in the starting lineup.

Reece James – 6

Some of James' best performances for Chelsea over the years have come from midfield, but he's yet to grab a game by the scruff of the neck under Alonso. When previously deployed in the middle of the park, the Blues skipper has been tasked with sweeping up and pulling the strings from deep.

But this term, in the absence of a replacement for Fernandez, James has been required to play that box-to-box role. Chelsea have often been stretched, gifting the opposition far too much space.

Until Caicedo returns from injury, Valentin Barco could be an appropriate pivot partner for the Cobham graduate...

Romeo Lavia – 5

Lavia caught the eye in pre-season and picked up from where he left off in the opening couple of weeks of the campaign. But the Chelsea midfielder disappointed in the defeat to Arsenal and in the draw to Hull City.

He was subsequently benched when the Blues lost to Brentford. There are very few players who can receive the ball from deep on the half-turn and play through the press, whether with a pass or a clever touch, like Lavia at his best, so Alonso needs to keep him fit and firing.

Pedro Neto – 7

Neto has been brilliant in his new right-wing-back role so far this season. The Chelsea forward faced an uncertain future at Stamford Bridge in the summer, but he's since signed a new contract and become a key player for Alonso.

Morgan Rogers – 8

Rogers has been superb. The Chelsea attacking midfielder has hit the ground running at Stamford Bridge and looks set to be a crucial player for Alonso as he looks to turn things around after the international break.

Cole Palmer – 9

Palmer has been absolutely brilliant for Chelsea so far this season. Had he not dragged the Blues to victory against Leeds United in the Carabao Cup third round, Alonso, who, in fairness, should be credited for making the brutal second-half substitute, would be under a lot more pressure.

Joao Pedro – 10

Incredible. Joao Pedro hasn't put a foot wrong for Chelsea this season, and Alonso will be desperate to welcome him back from the treatment room as soon as possible.

Substitutes

Mike Penders – 6

Penders did well in each of his Carabao Cup appearances. The Chelsea goalkeeper will have the chance to stake a claim for a place in the starting lineup in the fourth round of the competition at Anfield next month.

Malo Gusto – 5

Through no fault of his own, Gusto hasn't had the chance to build any momentum this season, playing wing-back, full-back, and midfield. The Chelsea defender certainly didn't do himself any favours in the draw to Hull City, either, rolling out the red carpet for the likes of Neto and Palestra to claim more minutes at wing-back, as well as Acheampong at full-back.

Pep Chavarria – 6

Chavarria has shown glimpses of promise so far this season. Unfortunately, the new Chelsea defender squandered the first chance to cement a place in the starting lineup when he chose to shoot rather than pass when his side looked to mount a late comeback against Brentford on Friday night.

Josh Acheampong – 7

Acheampong has come on leaps and bounds under Alonso. The Cobham graduate appears to be the perfect profile for the right centre-half role in the back-three, so he'll need to be carefully managed up until and during the festive period.

Valentin Barco – 6

Barco has certainly raised eyebrows so far this season. Due to his size, many expected the new Chelsea midfielder to drown in the physicality of English football, but he's thrown his weight around and looks set to be a good asset this term.

Estevao Willian – 5

Estevao hasn't had much opportunity to showcase his great qualities. The Chelsea winger did well off the bench in the defeat to Arsenal, but had little to no impact when he was given his first start of the campaign against Leeds United in the Carabao Cup third round.

Danny Welbeck – 6

Welbeck has done exactly what he was brought in to do. Of course, he didn't get on the scoresheet when Chelsea lost to Brentford, but he was largely starved of service.