Chelsea achieved something they managed just once during the previous campaign by defeating Fulham at Craven Cottage on Monday evening.
The Blues had finished last in the Premier League for average distance covered per match throughout the prior season, yet they made an impressive start to the new term by recording more ground covered than any other top-flight team in the opening round of fixtures.
Joao Pedro secured victory for Chelsea against Fulham with the quickest goal ever scored on the first matchday of the Premier League. Josh King eventually equalised by finding the near corner past Robert Sanchez, before Morgan Rogers put the Blues back in front.
Cole Palmer doubled the advantage shortly after the interval by threading the ball past Bernd Leno. Gonzalo Garcia reduced the deficit for Fulham shortly afterward, but Chelsea held firm and collected three valuable points.
Eager to claim their first opening-day success in four years, Chelsea remarkably covered more ground than any rival top-flight side. The Blues registered 123.2 kilometres, while Fulham managed 123.1 kilometres, a difference of just 100 metres.
Arsenal toiled hard during their encounter with Coventry City at the Emirates Stadium on Friday evening, clocking up 119.8 kilometres, as Hull City accumulated 118.5 kilometres in their match against Manchester United at the MKM Stadium. Bournemouth also put in considerable effort, running 117.9 kilometres during their contest with Manchester City at the Etihad.
Following the first round of matches, Xabi Alonso’s side lead the Premier League for average distance covered per game, representing a significant improvement given their sluggish performances under Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior previously. Last season, the Blues were outpaced in every top-flight match until their meeting with Liverpool at Anfield in May 2026.
Chelsea were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw against Liverpool, recording 103.6 kilometres compared to the Reds’ 102.9 kilometres. The increase in physicality did not persist long, with the Blues ceding ground to Tottenham Hotspur and Sunderland in each of the campaign’s final two fixtures.
It is a small sample size, and only time will reveal whether increased running was part of the strategy, but Alonso has evidently focused on getting Chelsea players to cover additional ground. While not necessarily an indicator of performance, the Spaniard’s predecessors struggled to address the Blues’ lack of physical effort.
Addressing journalists in December 2025, Maresca attempted to explain his side’s limited running. Prior to Chelsea being ironically outrun by seven kilometres and suffering a 3-1 defeat by Leeds United at Elland Road, the Italian stated that the approach often depends on how opponents attempt to defend against his team, suggesting high pressing creates more space to exploit while deep-lying defences offer less room to operate in behind.
In May 2025, Maresca indicated the shortage of running stemmed from squad construction, asserting that Chelsea lacked players capable of handling the physical demands of frequent transitions, which accounted for the slower, possession-oriented style employed at that time.
The former Chelsea manager observed that the team struggled in transition situations and that their poorest performances occurred when matches became transitional in nature.
Rosenior also failed to resolve the physicality concerns. Shortly before his dismissal, the former Chelsea boss pointed to a lack of desire, spirit and courage among the players, implying the issue was psychological rather than tactical.
Addressing reporters after a 3-0 loss to Brighton at the Amex Stadium in April 2026, Rosenior stated that the performance was unacceptable and did not reflect the football club or what he demanded from the group. He expressed frustration and acknowledged that the goals conceded were indefensible. He committed to reviewing both the team and individuals to identify players capable of performing fundamental aspects of the game, noting that discussions about basics should not occur at this level. He emphasised that the problem was not tactical but rather about commitment and determination, which he did not witness sufficiently.
With this context established, it will be intriguing to observe whether Alonso can maintain this improved physical approach when Chelsea face Luton Town in the Carabao Cup second round and subsequently Brighton in the Premier League.
Statistics supplied by Opta, TNT Sports, BBC, and Fotmob.