\Chelsea’s 2-0 defeat to Portsmouth in a behind-closed-doors friendly at Cobham should not necessarily be viewed as a major setback for Xabi Alonso’s side.
The match was arranged during the international break to provide valuable minutes and maintain the fitness of players remaining at the club. Reports indicate that Alonso also used the fixture as an opportunity to work on tactical ideas ahead of Chelsea’s return to Premier League action against Bournemouth.
Sources have described the game primarily as a training exercise, with Alonso using the opportunity to assess tactical structures and different combinations rather than treating the result as a competitive priority.
As a result, insiders are reportedly not alarmed by the scoreline. Chelsea were missing a large number of senior players because of international commitments, while the exact Blues lineup has not been publicly confirmed.
The friendly nevertheless provided Alonso with an important opportunity to continue working with the players available at Cobham. Chelsea's official website has also highlighted the intensity of the manager's training sessions during the international break as preparations continue for the busy period ahead.
With Bournemouth visiting Stamford Bridge on October 10, Alonso's main focus will now be on translating the work done during the break into improved performances when the competitive action resumes.
For Chelsea, the Portsmouth result may therefore matter far less than the tactical and fitness objectives achieved behind closed doors.