Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
Everyone is talking about Chelsea right now, and not just because of their star-studded attack!
The Blues beat Fulham 3-2 at Craven Cottage on Monday night, with Joao Pedro, Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer all scoring.
Palmer put in a world-class display against Alvaro Arbeloa’s men and looked back to his best again after a disappointing 2025/26 season.
Palmer started on the right as Chelsea lined up in a 3-4-2-1 formation. Interestingly, looking at the team’s average position map on the night, Xabi Alonso’s side managed to keep their shape, with every player staying in their set position.
That is rarely seen in the game, especially with so much rotation between players mid-match. It left many on social media impressed as they commented on how aesthetically pleasing the average position map was.
One of the biggest questions following Alonso’s appointment as Chelsea manager was what formation would he play. At Bayer Leverkusen, he used three at the back and had great success with it, as the German club went on to win the 2024 Bundesliga title undefeated.
However, at Real Madrid, Alonso used a flat back four. One game in at Chelsea, and the 44-year-old has gone back to using a three-man defence.
Alonso has stated, though, that he would be flexible at Chelsea, suggesting that the Spaniard could take things on a game-by-game basis.
Robert Sanchez's errors leading to goal
Photo by Rob Newell – CameraSport via Getty Images
Up next for the Blues is a Carabao Cup second-round tie against Luton Town at Stamford Bridge. That is the type of game where Alonso may decide to drop a defender and go with an extra attacker.
Palmer caused Luton havoc the last time they faced Chelsea, but the attacking midfielder is likely to be rested for the game.
It is good news for Jack Wilshere and his side, who have next to no chance of winning if Palmer starts.