For the first time this season, Chelsea looked solid. It resulted in a clean sheet despite Emi Martinez’s injury, and it has convinced Steven Gerrard to change his mind about Xabi Alonso’s side.

Alonso took over a side that had not kept a clean sheet in the Premier League since Liam Rosenior’s first league game, a 2-0 win over Brentford in January. It has taken a couple of months to change that.

In his first five Premier League games as manager, Alonso watched Chelsea concede twice, including a 3-0 hammering at Brentford and three in the 4-3 win over Brighton. Saturday was much more convincing.

Steven Gerrard is convinced Chelsea can now be ‘in the mix’

Speaking on The Overlap Daily, Gerrard – who almost joined Chelsea back in 2005 under Jose Mourinho – said that he did not think Chelsea would be able to compete at the top before watching them at Everton.

Now, he has changed his mind: “Really professional, strong team performance. If Chelsea want to be in the mix come April time, they need more of those performances where they build results on clean sheets.

“If you had asked me before Everton, I would’ve said they are conceding too many goals. Finding it hard to keep clean sheets normally means they won’t be in the talk, come the end of the season,” he added.

With Enzo Fernandez gone and Lamine Camara staying at Monaco, who should partner Moises Caicedo in midfield this season?

“But if they can sort it, find that defensive solidarity to build from, they have the players to hurt any team,” Gerrard concluded in his analysis, having watched Chelsea’s second consecutive Premier League win.

Alonso has played a big part in Chelsea’s renewed form. After the break, the Blues are still using his 3-4-2-1 system, but Josh Acheampong is being used a hybrid role, a right-sided centre-back when attacking.

But when Chelsea attack, it reverts more to a 4-4-2 system, with Acheampong moving to right-back and Pedro Neto on the right wing. Cole Palmer plays off Joao Pedro, making Chelsea more of a solid unit.

Moises Caicedo is the key: Chelsea are so much better with him

Despite Levi Colwill captaining Chelsea against Bournemouth, it was Caicedo who wore the armband at Everton. Perhaps because Caicedo was able to play more at Everton after returning from a calf injury.

Since Caicedo joined Chelsea in the summer of 2023, the Blues have played 183 matches in league and cup. In that time, Caicedo has clocked up 151 appearances, missing just 32 appearances for the Blues.

Chelsea’s points per game, if cup wins are considered as three points, with Caicedo in the team, is an impressive 1.95. Without him, it plummets to 1.44. If Gerrard is right, Chelsea will be absolutely crucial.

Last season, Caicedo clocked up 87 tackles in front of the defence – 2.8 per game – more than any other player. It proves his ability as a defensive screen. Without that, the Blues midfield lacks defensive punch.