Chelsea’s start to life under Xabi Alonso has been anything but straightforward, with the Blues already struggling to find consistency in the early stages of the season.
Five Premier League matches have produced two wins, two defeats and a draw against Hull City, with the latest setback coming in a disappointing loss to Brentford.
While Chelsea have shown plenty of promise going forward and continue to score goals, their defensive record is becoming a major concern.
They have conceded 12 times in their opening five league matches, the highest total in the division, and that could prompt Alonso and the club’s hierarchy to look for defensive reinforcements when the January window opens.
Chelsea Monitoring Khusanov
Chelsea are among the clubs keeping a close watch on Manchester City defender Abdukodir Khusanov ahead of the January transfer window, according to CaughtOffside.
The 22-year-old has shown encouraging signs since moving to the Premier League, but his position in Pep Guardiola’s plans is not yet completely secure. That uncertainty has seemingly encouraged Chelsea to monitor his situation closely as they consider potential solutions to their defensive problems.
Khusanov has enjoyed a rapid rise to the top level. The Uzbekistan international began his senior career in Belarus with Energetik-BGU before moving to French football, where he developed with Lens. His performances there attracted attention from across Europe and eventually earned him a move to Manchester City.
City secured his signature in January 2025, giving Khusanov the opportunity to work under Guardiola and compete at the highest level. The young defender has since been gradually introduced to the demands of English football, showing the pace, physicality and defensive aggression that made him such an attractive prospect.
Guardiola has previously praised Khusanov’s potential, describing him as “special”, and City will be reluctant to give up on a player they invested in with his long-term development in mind.
However, regular first-team football could prove decisive. If Khusanov cannot establish himself as an automatic starter at the Etihad, Chelsea could see an opportunity to tempt him away.
The Blues’ defensive numbers provide an obvious reason for their reported interest. Conceding 12 goals in just five league matches has exposed weaknesses at the back, and Alonso may want to add another versatile defender capable of competing immediately for a starting position.
Chelsea are not expected to have a clear path to Khusanov’s signature, though. CaughtOffside reports that three other Premier League clubs are also monitoring the defender, meaning competition could emerge if City become open to discussions.
For now, Khusanov remains a Manchester City player and Chelsea’s interest appears to be at the monitoring stage. But if the defensive issues at Stamford Bridge continue into the winter, their reported admiration for the “special” Uzbekistan international could develop into something more concrete.
