Photo by MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Photo by MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Xabi Alonso decided to keep Calum McFarlane as part of his backroom staff when he took over at Chelsea, and now needs to borrow one of the few tactics from his time in charge of the club for the EFL Cup tie against Leeds United.
McFarlane took the head coach role on two different occasions last season, and while he only won a couple of games, one was against Wednesday’s opponents in the FA Cup semi-final.
Leeds are the task at hand for Alonso in the Carabao Cup third round at Stamford Bridge, as he looks to put to bed any concern from the defeat to Arsenal at the weekend.
Chelsea Pre-Season Tour to Hong Kong
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Xabi Alonso needs to borrow Calum McFarlane tactic for Chelsea vs Leeds
When looking back to the Chelsea side who beat Leeds at Wembley, McFarlane set them up with a back four, despite him using a back five in the final, as well as their late Premier League fixtures.
This is a formation which Alonso has been hesitant to use so far since taking over in West London, other than the earlier EFL Cup tie against lower-league Luton Town.
The Spaniard needs to test this system out against Premier League opposition to see how his players hold up, and this fixture is the perfect opportunity to do so.
There are likely to be some personnel changes. Danny Welbeck, Valentin Barco and Pep Chavarria are amongst those likely to come into the starting XI.
The Blues want to be able to feature in a number of different systems this season, and will benefit from trialing McFarlane’s chosen system for the FA Cup semi-final against the same opposition on Wednesday.
Estevao Willian's minutes
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Estevao Willian will benefit from new Chelsea system
Playing three-at-the-back is currently limiting the amount of attackers Chelsea can have on the pitch, frequently seeing Estevao Willian having to sit on the bench so far this season.
The Brazilian came on against the Gunners and made an instant impact, having their best effort to try and rescue a point at the Emirates.
Estevao would likely start on the right of attack, pushing Cole Palmer into a more central area and allow him to influence play more.
Alongside Morgan Rogers and Joao Pedro, Chelsea would have a sensational attack which any side in the league would struggle to contend with.