Marco Palestra has spent pre-season showing why Chelsea were willing to invest £47million in him, but one moment against Real Sociedad has given Xabi Alonso something significant to fix before the Premier League begins.
Chelsea eventually won 3-1 at Stamford Bridge, yet Jon Aramburu’s first-half equaliser exposed the danger of leaving space around Palestra when he pushes high.
It was only a friendly and should not define the 21-year-old’s start at Chelsea. The timing, however, makes it difficult to ignore.
Fulham are next.
Truth be told I’m worried about this palestra defensive inability.🤦♂️ pic.twitter.com/sP13DOgwBX
— blue is the color (@westernreece) August 15, 2026
Marco Palestra warning comes at worst possible time for Chelsea
Palestra was recruited to give Alonso exactly the sort of athletic width his system demands.
ReadChelsea identified that tactical purpose when Chelsea agreed his move from Atalanta. Alonso wants wing-backs capable of starting high, carrying the ball and recovering quickly when possession is lost.
The Real Sociedad equaliser demonstrated the other side of that bargain.
Palestra was caught out of position, leaving Levi Colwill exposed before Aramburu converted. It was one of the few defensive blemishes during an otherwise encouraging 3-1 Chelsea victory.
That becomes particularly relevant because Palestra is already being tipped to start Chelsea’s Premier League opener at Craven Cottage.
talkSPORT’s early predicted Chelsea XI has the Italian operating as one of Alonso’s wing-backs against Fulham.
The decision suddenly deserves much more scrutiny.
Fulham have already shown Chelsea what they can punish
Fulham ended pre-season by beating Stuttgart 1-0, giving Alvaro Arbeloa his first victory since taking charge.
More important for Chelsea was how they approached the game.
Fulham played with greater aggression and control before Timothy Castagne scored from an Alex Iwobi set-piece. Arbeloa is still moulding his new side, but their final preparation showed a team becoming more comfortable applying pressure and committing players forward.
That creates an obvious question for Alonso.
Can Chelsea afford to leave the space behind Palestra against a Premier League opponent capable of exploiting transitions and dead-ball situations?
The answer does not necessarily involve dropping him.
Palestra’s pace is one reason Chelsea paid such a significant fee, and Alonso could instead alter the protection behind him. A more conservative centre-back position or greater midfield cover from Moises Caicedo would allow the Italian to attack without repeatedly exposing the outside centre-back.
Xabi Alonso has a £47m decision before Fulham
Malo Gusto gives Alonso another option.
He came off the bench against Real Sociedad and created Joao Pedro’s second goal, providing a timely reminder that Chelsea already possess proven Premier League competition on the right.
Reece James adds another layer to the decision.
Palestra may still be Alonso’s preferred wing-back against Fulham, and one positioning mistake should not change Chelsea’s wider plan for a player signed on a seven-year contract.
But pre-season is supposed to expose weaknesses before competitive football begins.
Real Sociedad may just have done Chelsea a favour.
With Fulham now able to study exactly where space appeared, Alonso has a week to make sure the same opening is not waiting for them at Craven Cottage.
Seven-goal Joao Pedro may have just settled Chelsea’s biggest Fulham call
Seven-goal Joao Pedro may have just settled Chelsea’s biggest Fulham call
Six Chelsea stars force their way into Alonso’s Fulham XI
Six Chelsea stars force their way into Alonso’s Fulham XI