Photo by Chris Lee - Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Photo by Chris Lee - Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso could unleash one of the most exciting attacks in the Premier League this season.
The Blues have signed Morgan Rogers to add to a frontline that already boasted Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro.
Asmir Begovic's Chelsea XI for Fulham away
Asmir Begovic's Chelsea XI for Fulham away
Individually, they are three of the best attackers in the Premier League, but Paul Merson is worried about how the trio will play as a collective unit.
His biggest fear is that Rogers, Palmer and Pedro will all want to drop deep to collect the ball and end up getting in each other’s way.
Previewing the new Premier League season for Sky Sports, the Arsenal legend and Chelsea supporter said: “My worry for them is there’s a triangle — Palmer, Rogers and Joao Pedro all want to come and get the ball. It’s going to get very congested in there. That’s my only problem.
“But Alonso is a top coach. If he finds a way of those three players gelling and playing together — making one of them run in beyond — then Chelsea will have a very good season. But I don’t see them getting 85 to 86 points, which is what Arsenal will get.”
Mark Chapman speaks with Paul Merson
Photo by Matthew Horwood – The FA/The FA via Getty Images
As things stand, it looks like Rogers and Palmer will start on the left and right of a 3-4-2-1 formation, while Pedro leads the line.
The Blues ended pre-season using a back three, so there is a good chance that Alonso goes with that when his side take on Fulham in their opening fixture next Monday.
You would expect Chelsea’s attack to be fluid and for there to be a lot of rotation, so Merson may not need to worry too much. Alonso’s biggest headache right now will be his midfield.
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Despite Chelsea’s 5pm deadline last Friday passing, there is still a lot of speculation surrounding the future of Enzo Fernandez. In normal circumstances, the 25-year-old would have been a shoo-in to start, but Alonso is going to have to make a decision.
Fernandez has not downed tools and is still trying so that is a positive and an indication that he is ready to play for Chelsea again.
If the Argentina international stays and Alonso can get him, Rogers, Palmer and Pedro all in the same team and firing, Chelsea are going to have a very successful season. But there are still a lot of ifs and buts at the moment.