Chelsea vs. Hull City: Xabi Alonso makes claim about Blues attack ahead of intriguing Premier League fixture

By Darren Plant | 11 Sep 2026 17:32

Alonso dismisses "impossible" claim made against his Chelsea players

Xabi Alonso has dismissed the suggestion that it may be "impossible" to defend against his Chelsea attack.

The Blues have netted an incredible 16 goals in Alonso's opening five competitive matches as manager.

Six of those came in the second half of Wednesday's EFL Cup third round tie versus Leeds United, those half-a-dozen goals being netted without August's Premier League Player of the month Joao Pedro being on the pitch.

Chelsea now play host to a Hull City side who have kept clean sheets against Manchester United, Coventry City and Aston Villa.

Speaking at a press conference ahead of the game at Stamford Bridge, Alonso stressed that the Tigers will be shown the same level of respect as every other opponent.

Alonso plays down superlatives for Chelsea attack

When quizzed on whether it is "impossible" to stop Chelsea's frontline, the Spaniard told reporters: "Let's not talk about those big words.

"Impossible in football is too big a word. We face tomorrow's game with the same respect we did last week against Arsenal.

"They are seven points, no goals conceded. They will be hard to beat. They have their weapons as well, with transitions and set pieces.

"They have the belief that the coach is doing a great job. So it's going to be hard and we'll have to be at our best to beat Hull tomorrow."

Can Hull stop Chelsea?

Much has been made of Hull's exploits in the Premier League this season, but their strong defensive record stretches far longer than many will realise.

Hull have not conceded more than twice in a competitive game since March 14, when they lost 3-1 at West Bromwich Albion.

Sixteen matches have passed by since that defeat at The Hawthorns, while nine games have been played since Sergej Jakirovic's side conceded more than once in a competitive fixture.

Since the start of last season's Championship playoffs, Hull have kept six clean sheets in eight games, only shipping a goal apiece in EFL Cup ties against Stoke City and Sunderland.