Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images
Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images
There has been a lot of talk about what formation Xabi Alonso will use at Chelsea this season.
Alonso had great success with a 3-4-2-1 set-up at Bayer Leverkusen before switching to a back four at Real Madrid.
In pre-season this summer, Alonso used both systems, though he has stated that he is going to be flexible at Chelsea.
Ultimately, Chelsea fans can expect to see a back three this term, whether it is from the start of games or during different parts of the match.
Sander Berge on Chelsea team
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Speaking to Sky Sports ahead of the Blues’ trip to Fulham on Monday night, Alonso said: “Lots of teams play three at the back in certain parts of the game. You see each team has to be so sophisticated to prepare for each game and know what they’re going to do because each team, they prepare so well.”
If Chelsea do start with a back three against Fulham, Alonso will not be able to call upon Wesley Fofana.
Fofana is suspended after receiving a red card against Sunderland at the end of last season. It means Josh Acheampong, Reece James or Jorrel Hato could come into the side to be the third centre-back.
Levi Colwill and Maxence Lacroix both started alongside Fofana in Chelsea’s final pre-season game against Real Sociedad and will be expected to keep their places at Craven Cottage regardless of what formation Alonso uses.
Wesley Fofana of Chelsea greets fans
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At the opposite end of the pitch, Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and Joao Pedro should all get the nod.
Chelsea cannot afford to get complacent, especially after what happened in the other games over the weekend. But they have more than enough in their arsenal to beat Alvaro Arbeloa’s side.
Opta’s supercomputer has given Chelsea a 51% chance of defeating Fulham, but football is played on the pitch and not on software.
Alonso’s men simply have to get the job done after the referee blows his whistle. With a defence of Colwill and Lacroix and an attack of Palmer, Rogers and Pedro, you would expect them to, but we are going to have to wait and see.