Certain Chelsea attackers will have to adjust to Xabi Alonso's 3-4-2-1 system, but what matters to Xabi Alonso is "individual qualities".
Xabi Alonso will likely once again play a three-back defence vs Luton Town.More Videos
Xabi Alonso has insisted it doesn't make much difference whether Chelsea's wide players play as wingers or wing-backs.
It is safe to say that while Alonso previously insisted on flexibility in his system, the manager has chosen 3-4-2-1 as the team’s primary structure.
This formation suits Chelsea’s main front three, especially Cole Palmer and club-record signing Morgan Rogers, who operate as two number 10s in this system. The 3-2 win over Fulham on Monday demonstrated how they thrive in these roles.
That said, the back-three formation comes with disadvantages, mainly for more conventional wingers such as Pedro Neto, Jamie Gittens, Geovany Quenda, perhaps even Estevao.
These wide attackers may have to adapt to playing as wing-backs to fit into the system.
Neto came on as a substitute in the second half against Fulham, replacing Malo Gusto at right wing-back. Gittens and Quenda already played as wing-backs during pre-season.
While these players have the legs to play as wing-backs, as primary attackers, they may not have the defensive awareness these roles require. This puts them at a disadvantage when competing for spots with natural full-backs such as Gusto, Marco Palestra, Jorrel Hato, and Pep Chavarria.
Neto, for example, had a heated exchange on the pitch with team captain Reece James for failing to get back into a defensive position after losing possession during the win at Fulham.
Wing-back, winger - not so different for Alonso
Asked whether the Portugal international is happy to play as a wing-back, Alonso said he focuses on player characteristics rather than labels on the team sheet.
“Wing-back, winger, you can call it whatever you want,” the Chelsea boss responded in his press conference on Thursday.
“But the main thing is the quality of the players. That they adjust and that we have balance with the players around that makes sense, that makes the team better, and that's always my main focus.
“That the team is better with the qualities and knowing the best quality of each individual player.”
Alonso made a very good point. The Spaniard can compensate for these wingers’ likely lapses in defence by fielding them alongside more defensive-minded midfielders, for example.
As long as the players maintain the right defensive shape in the defensive third, the wing-backs should not have to defend against the opposition's best attackers frequently anyway.
Still, playing as wing-backs means these wingers are positioned farther away from the opposition goal, and whether they are happy with this is a fair question to ask.
Neto has attracted interest from several clubs this summer, so he may have the option to play as an attacker rather than a wing-back elsewhere.
Chelsea are reportedly not actively pushing for his sale, but are open to offers worth close to £100m for the winger.
Asked whether he had any conversations with Neto about his future at Chelsea, Alonso said: “Well, about conversations, not (going too) much into detail, but we want to have the best possible squad and let's see what happens.”
Regardless, Neto is still a valuable piece in the squad. With Marco Palestra still out due to a minor injury, the Portuguese is expected to start at right wing-back in Chelsea’s Carabao Cup second-round tie against Luton Town on Thursday.