Xabi Alonso will be spoiled for choice when selecting his Chelsea starting lineup this season
Cole Palmer of Chelsea attends a press conference
Cole Palmer will soon feature alongside Morgan Rogers for Chelsea(Image: Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
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If Xabi Alonso can shoehorn Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers into the same starting lineup, Chelsea could boast one of the strongest frontlines in the Premier League next season. Although they play the same position on paper, the Blues manager has hinted at how he plans to get the best out of them.
Speaking to CFC+ earlier this month, Alonso described Rogers, who had just signed from Aston Villa for £117m, as an 'important player' who has the capability to play up to four positions. The former Liverpool midfielder said: "For sure, it’s a great signing.
"In that position, we needed an important player, and there were not many better options than Morgan Rogers. His signing means a lot for everyone and for the players that are already here.
"One of his best qualities is that he is flexible. He plays in that pocket position, close to the striker, close to our number ten – but he has also played on the right side, even though he is more used to coming from the left.
"He feels he is enjoying his game, his flow, and I’m sure he will have good connections with the other players around him. If we get those connections right, that will be a great step forward in the quality of our game."
On how he plans to fit Palmer into the equation, Alonso said: "I have a plan, an idea, and I can see them linking really well. We need to have a good mix. If we get that balance right and those special players in the right positions with good control, then we will be more competitive with the ball and against the ball. We need to be good."
As it stands, it remains unclear exactly how Alonso will execute his masterplan, with Rogers still away on holiday after the World Cup. In the meantime, football.london has looked at four ways Alonso could build the Chelsea starting lineup around Palmer and Rogers.
Alonso goes back to basics
When Alonso first took charge of Real Sociedad B in June 2019, he used a 4-2-3-1 formation. Towardd the end of his spell in San Sebastian, the 44-year-old began experimenting with a back-five, which he later deployed full-time at Bayer Leverkusen.
Despite enjoying great success with this blueprint, Alonso used a back-four at Real Madrid, just as he did when he took his first senior management job. If the Spaniard were to do so again in west London, Rogers would likely feature on the left, with Palmer in the middle, Estevao Willian on the right, and Joao Pedro up top.
Cole Palmer
Cole Palmer could link up with Morgan Rogers(Image: Ayush Kumar)
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Interestingly, Palmer recently revealed that Alonso views him as an attacking midfielder rather than a winger. Speaking to club media, the Blues star said: "I spoke to Xabi before he arrived, he messaged me when I didn’t make the World Cup squad.
"It was nice to hear from him. Working under him so far has been really good. Him and his staff have been great, and we’re looking forward to working with him.
"He says he sees me as a number 10, playing in the pockets. I feel good now, I’ve had seven weeks to get myself ready for the season, and I’m good to go."
Dream Chelsea frontline in a 4-2-3-1 formation: Morgan Rogers, Cole Palmer, Estevao Willian; Joao Pedro.
Alonso deploys Bundesliga masterplan
At Bayer Leverkusen, Alonso won the Bundesliga without losing a game. The Spaniard fielded a 3-4-2-1 with a double pivot, two narrow attacking midfielders, and overlapping wing-backs.
If Alonso deploys a similar system at Chelsea, Palmer and Rogers will be tasked with playing half-spaces on either side of the striker. Rather than operate as conventional touchline-hugging wingers, they'll be used as inside forwards, receiving the ball in the pockets of space between the opposition backline and midfield.
Morgan Rogers
Xabi Alonso will be looking at how to fit Morgan Rogers into the Chelsea starting XI(Image: Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC)
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The duo could complement each other well, bringing different qualities to the table. Speaking to reporters on Friday ahead of the Blues' pre-season friendly against Tottenham Hotspur, Palmer explained what makes him different from Rogers, and vice versa.
"I think we’re two different players," said the Chelsea talisman. "He’s more physical than me, on and off the ball. He likes to drive with it. I like to play passes.
"I think we can play well together, and we played together when we were young. I’ve always been quite fit. I just mean stronger, driving with the ball, stuff like that."
Dream Chelsea frontline in a 3-4-3 formation: Morgan Rogers, Cole Palmer; Joao Pedro.
Palmer and Rogers swap flanks
When Chelsea signed Rogers, Alonso pointed out how his new signing had previously enjoyed spells on the right-hand side. Interestingly, under Enzo Maresca, Palmer had a few outings on the left-hand side.
So, if during a closely contested game Alonso notices neither of them is being afforded the time or space to cut inside onto their preferred foot, or one is simply struggling against a particular full-back, he could swap them over.
Cole Palmer during a Chelsea training session
Cole Palmer swapped flanks under Enzo Maresca(Image: Photo by Ayush Kumar/Getty Images)
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Dream Chelsea frontline in an alternative 4-2-3-1 formation: Cole Palmer, Joao Pedro, Morgan Rogers.
Alonso prepares injury contingency plan
In the event that Palmer needs a rest or has suffered an injury and Estevao Willian isn't available to fill his shoes, Alonso could tweak his formation to accommodate two strikers. In doing so, the Chelsea manager would entrust Rogers with the responsibility of pulling the strings from a solitary attacking midfield position.
Dream Chelsea frontline in an alternative 3-4-3 formation: Morgan Rogers; Joao Pedro, Nicolas Jackson.