Former Liverpool and Chelsea forward Daniel Sturridge believes Chelsea are still struggling to communicate effectively on the pitch under manager Xabi Alonso.
Sturridge was discussing the work of the Spanish coach, who took charge of Chelsea during the close season, after the London club’s latest Premier League defeat. He said: “There are still problems with communication on the pitch at Chelsea.”
Chelsea were beaten 2-1 by Arsenal in their most recent Premier League match. The result placed renewed focus on the team’s performance and on the way the players work together during matches.
Sturridge’s comments centred on communication rather than a specific individual error or tactical decision. His assessment was that Chelsea continue to have issues in this area, despite Alonso having taken responsibility for the team during the off-season.
The former England international has experience of playing for both clubs involved in the discussion. He represented Liverpool and Chelsea during his playing career, giving him a direct connection to the two Premier League sides mentioned in the report.
His remarks came after Chelsea’s narrow defeat by Arsenal, with the scoreline reflecting a match in which Chelsea scored once but ultimately conceded two goals. Arsenal therefore secured the victory in the London fixture, while Chelsea were left without points from the Premier League encounter.
The loss was the immediate context for Sturridge’s assessment of Alonso’s team. Rather than suggesting that the result alone explained Chelsea’s difficulties, he pointed to communication between the players as an area that still requires attention.
Alonso joined Chelsea in the close season and is the Spanish specialist now leading the club. Sturridge’s view indicates that, in his opinion, the team has not yet fully resolved the way it communicates during matches.
No further detail was provided in the source about which players were involved, what specific situations prompted the criticism or how Alonso responded to the remarks. The central point was Sturridge’s belief that Chelsea continue to experience problems communicating on the field.
Chelsea’s 2-1 defeat by Arsenal remains the latest result referenced in the discussion. Sturridge’s comments connect that loss with wider concerns about the team’s on-pitch organisation, while identifying communication as a continuing issue during Alonso’s time in charge.