There is so much curiosity over how Xabi Alonso will set up his new Chelsea team next season with the Blues continuing to work on adding new faces for the Spaniard to work with
11:52, 21 Jul 2026
Many are left wondering not only the formation Xabi Alonso will use at Chelsea, but also how he plans on utilising his new signings at Stamford Bridge.
Alonso's most successful time as a coach was at Bayer Leverkusen during that unforgettable, unbeaten 2023/24 season where the Spaniard operated a 3-4-2-1 system to lift the Bundesliga title for the first time in the German club's history.
Chelsea sources say Alonso won't be tied down to a specific formation and that his tactical flexibility is one of the countless reasons they made such a big play to get him in as Liam Rosenior's permanent successor. Going big on Maxence Lacroix, though, suggests Alonso is eyeing a three-back system; given the French defender's experience with being used in a back three.
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The signing of Marco Palestra, who can play as a wing back as well as full back, suggests Chelsea could have three central defenders on the pitch next season. There are an abundance of options for Alonso to choose from with Chelsea, at the time of writing, having an inflated squad. However, the Blues are working on a number of sales as we speak.
If Lacroix is signed, as well as Morgan Rogers (deal agreed), then Alonso could end up settling on something like below for when Chelsea make the short trip to Craven Cottage to take on Fulham in their Premier League opener next month:
Possible Chelsea XI (3-4-2-1): Sanchez; Fofana, Lacroix, Colwill; Palestra, Fernandez, Caicedo, Hato; Palmer, Rogers; Joao Pedro
Big decisions for Alonso to make
Of course, Alonso is still getting to know his players; he hasn't even met a lot of them - those who represented their countries at the recently-concluded World Cup. The new Chelsea manager will have a much better idea once the upcoming pre-season tour has concluded.
Mike Penders is set to be given the opportunity to fight for the No.1 goalkeeper spot at Stamford Bridge with Robert Sanchez. Penders is set to join up with the Chelsea squad during their four-country tour in the next few weeks after representing Belgium at the World Cup.
Sources say Josh Acheampong is expected to be given a bigger role in the Chelsea setup next season after the club rebuffed several approaches from fellow Premier League clubs for the 20-year-old defender. Wesley Fofana and Acheampong could fight it out for the right-sided central defender spot if Alonso uses a three-back formation.
Levi Colwill is set to be a mainstay in the Chelsea side. Stamford Bridge insiders say the club view the 23-year-old centre back as a pillar of their long-term project and that is told by the Blues' ongoing pursuit to find the Englishman the perfect partner.
Lacroix has been identified as the prime candidate in that regard. Chelsea have stepped up their interest in signing the France international and sources say there is now a confidence from the Blues' side that a deal with Crystal Palace will eventually be struck.
Palestra is viewed as a significant coup by Chelsea and the versatile Italian has already had a bit of time to work with Alonso and some of his new teammates. The 21-year-old is able to play at wing back or at full back with Alonso understood to be a huge admirer of his talents.
The centre of midfield is an uncertain area for Chelsea. One of the slots has been filled by Moises Caicedo, who decided to commit his future at Stamford Bridge until 2033 by signing a new long-term contract towards the back end of last season. The slot next to him, however, is filled by a big question mark at the time of writing.
Chelsea sources are confident Enzo Fernandez will be a Blues player beyond the September 1 transfer deadline but he is still up for sale at the right price. Potential suitors can buy the Argentine midfielder for £120million but Real Madrid, earlier this month, told the world they are not going to be pursuing a move this summer for Fernandez.
Jorrel Hato is set for a more senior role within the Chelsea squad in the upcoming season. One of the reasons the Blues were open to selling Marc Cucurella, who moved to Real Madrid for just shy of £52m earlier this summer, was because of the progress of the Netherlands international during the second half of his debut season at Stamford Bridge.
Hato has been used as a left back and in the centre of defence during his short time in SW6 and we may well see the 20-year-old Dutchman in a more advanced left wing-back role next season.
In attack is where it gets really exciting. Estevao Willian is of course an option for Alonso but the new manager will be wary about his usage of the Brazil international, who missed a large chunk of his debut season with a serious hamstring injury.
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Rogers is expected to be added to the squad after Chelsea struck a £117m agreement with Aston Villa over the course of the weekend. The England international completed his medical in London on Monday and has since signed a long-term contract at Stamford Bridge, where he will get to play alongside his close friend Cole Palmer for the foreseeable future.
Joao Pedro is expected to be Chelsea's go-to No.9 after a fantastic debut season in the capital. There are other options for Alonso; including the likes of Liam Delap, Nicolas Jackson, Emmanuel Emegha and Marc Guiu but two of that list are expected to depart this summer.
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