Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Xabi Alonso has been a man of his word since taking over Chelsea, proving that during the club’s pre-season tour of Australia and Asia.
Before Chelsea’s first game against Western Sydney Wanderers, Alonso explained that he would be flexible with his tactics.
So far, Alonso has been, with the Spaniard alternating between two central defenders and three central defenders.
Once the season starts, though, Alonso will have to choose a preferred formation and then take things on a game-by-game basis. But which system should the 44-year-old begin with?
Based on pre-season results and performances, starting off with a 3-4-2-1 or 3-4-3 formation could be the way to go for Chelsea.
Asmir Begovic's Chelsea XI for Fulham away
Asmir Begovic's Chelsea XI for Fulham away
The Blues’ best result and display came in their 3-0 win against AC Milan, with the team lining up in a 3-4-2-1/3-4-3 formation.
Marco Palestra was amazing against Milan playing as a wing-back, which is probably the Italian’s best position. Alonso is going to get the best out of him using the above system.
Of course, you do not want to change your whole team and build it around a young defender like Palestra, but Chelsea could really benefit from having an extra centre-back on the pitch. Therefore, having wing-backs and three centre-halves may make a lot of sense.
Xavi Alonso, Manager of Chelsea, acknowledges the fans
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Defensively, there are still a lot of concerns about this Chelsea side. In pre-season, they have not defended well, even with a back five. They conceded three goals against JDT, although winger Jamie Gittens playing as a left wing-back did contribute to that.
During the Premier League campaign, you would expect Alonso to go with a more natural option who will make the defence more sturdy.
But the point is, the answer to Chelsea’s defensive frailties could be to perhaps start Levi Colwill, Maxence Lacroix and maybe Reece James in central defence, while Palestra is deployed as the right wing-back.