Gary Neville criticized Chelsea's "all over the place" back three following their 2-1 defeat to Arsenal on Super Sunday. Despite this setback, he remains confident that Xabi Alonso's team can secure a top-three finish in the Premier League.

Chelsea initially took the lead with a goal from Morgan Rogers just 77 seconds into the match. However, they have now conceded seven goals in three games, prompting Neville to suggest that the club may need to bolster their defensive lineup to improve their performance.

In his comments on the Gary Neville Podcast, he emphasized:

• The lack of cohesion in Chelsea's defense, comparing it unfavorably to the legendary Juventus and Italy back three, which included Andrea Barzagli, Leonard Bonnuci, and Giorgio Chiellini.
• The need for Chelsea to recruit more solid defenders as they continue under Alonso's management.

Neville did, however, acknowledge the strengths of Chelsea's squad, praising the performances of wing-backs Pedro Neto and Jorell Hato, and highlighting their strong midfield and attacking options, provided key players remain fit. He stated, "I think they can finish second - third is the absolute lowest I can see Chelsea finishing."

Alonso recognized the need for improvement in Chelsea's defense but noted that establishing solidity will take time, given he only took over in May. He expressed disappointment at the result but maintained a positive outlook, emphasizing the importance of learning from these early challenges as they adapt to a new phase at Chelsea.

He remarked, "We want to be active, protagonists in the pressing. We have done many right things. We need to make it better, learn from them." Alonso's commitment to improvement signals a hopeful trajectory despite the recent loss.