There is no questioning the potent attacking threat the Blues have posed to opponents so far this season under Alonso’s leadership, having scored 18 goals across our opening six fixtures in all competitions.

However, after some thrilling high-scoring victories, the goals conceded at the other end cost us two points when Hull City came from behind to secure a draw at Stamford Bridge last week.

As we prepare to take on Brentford in our next game on Friday, our manager made clear it is an area he and his players are working hard on improving.

‘It's obvious that in defence we can do better,’ he said. ‘In attack, we are doing well, but we need to find the right balance between the defence and the attack to not concede that many goals.

‘It's for sure clear and I'm sure that we will do it. Everything takes time. We have had circumstances that haven't allowed us to create the stability that we want, but once we get it, I think that we will be more solid.’

Alonso also dismissed any suggestion it is an issue purely for the defenders to worry about, calling for focus in all moments from every Chelsea player at the Gtech Community Stadium tomorrow evening, so we can cope with any circumstances that can arise during the intensity of a Premier League match.

‘The defence is all the team,’ the Spaniard continued. ‘It's not just the back four or the back five, it's about the team.

‘It's how we compete, how we adapt to different moments. When we take the lead or when the game is even, we need to have the same mentality to be competing in different moments.

‘We know that in the Premier League it is very difficult to control the whole game, but to be able to adapt and to feel that awareness that is needed is very important.

‘We have had four or five weeks since we started. This is going to be the seventh game in this block. It's an important one because it's before the international break, because it's in the Premier League, because it's away against Brentford who are tough. So we will have to play a high-demand game.’