John Terry says getting the basics right can help new-look Chelsea push on

The Blues have shown some positives signs under Alonso, who took over in the summer, following up a battling defeat at champions Arsenal with a 6-3 trashing of Leeds in the Carabao Cup.

Chelsea, though, were then held to a frustrating 2-2 draw by Hull at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

Morgan Rogers, a big-money signing from Aston Villa, had given Chelsea an early lead only for Mohamed Belloumi’s double to put the Premier League newcomers in front by the break before Joao Pedro eventually hit a second-half equaliser.

It leaves Chelsea on seven points from their opening four league games, currently sixth ahead of Friday night’s west London derby at Brentford, who remain unbeaten following three draws.

Terry – who won both the Premier League and FA Cup five times, and was part of the Blues’ successful 2012 Champions League squad – would like to see the players focusing on the fundamentals to help get themselves into a consistent run.

“The only advice I can give in these moments, and when you go through these moments as a player, (is) do the basics really well,” Terry said in a review of the Hull match on his YouTube channel.

“When you have got time to play on the ball, you have got to be really comfortable because that is the game now, but when you get opportunities, especially against teams like that (Hull) that are going to throw bodies in the box, long crosses, long throws, direct balls from the goalkeeper, you have to win those battles.

“So again (it is) the real basics of blocks, tackles, headers from corners, from long throw-ins, all of these bits – just get the ball as far away as possible as you can, and get people in front of you working as hard as possible. For me, that’s the real basics, (and) you don’t see enough of it now.”

Terry added: “That is where the supporters want to see an outstretched body, take one in the leg, put it out for a corner.

“The amount of times I used to make tackles or a big header, and the supporters would love it – they are the bits as a defender that have to get your blood going, and it is those little moments that we need to get better at.”

Terry felt the Hull match was a missed opportunity for Chelsea to push up the table, and hopes the players will produce a response at Brentford ahead of an extended international break.

“I think, firstly, we need to get settled,” he said. “Let’s not panic, but it just feels like it is an opportunity missed this weekend.

“But Friday night becomes massive now before international break, it is a game we now have to go and win.”

Chelsea held a part open training session on Tuesday.

Forward Joao Pedro, Reece James and Moises Caicedo were all absent, while Marco Palestra and Jordan Henderson, signed from the Bees in the summer, both took part as they step up recovery plans.