Photo by Harvey Murphy/News Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Photo by Harvey Murphy/News Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Many Chelsea fans want to see Xabi Alonso revert back to a back four after Friday night’s 3-0 loss to Brentford.
Alonso claimed that he would be flexible and did begin Chelsea’s pre-season with a 4-2-3-1 formation. However, 3-4-2-1 does seem to be his preferred system, so do not be surprised if he sticks with it after the international break.
If that does turn out to be the case, Chelsea fans will at least hope to see some changes to a backline that has conceded 12 goals in just five games, the most in the Premier League. But what changes should the Spaniard be considering?
Well, one of the biggest problems in Chelsea’s defence right now seems to be Levi Colwill. Despite being left-footed, he does not look comfortable playing as a left-sided centre-back and in the left channel in Alonso’s set-up.
At this stage, the best thing to do would be to move Colwill to the central centre-back role, even if it means dropping new signing Maxence Lacroix. If Alonso is insistent on starting the Frenchman there, Colwill may just have to be left out.
Colwill moving into the centre or being dropped would make room for Jorrel Hato in the side. Hato was very efficient as a left-sided centre-back last season, though he was playing in a back two most times.
To complete the central defence, Wesley Fofana has improved compared to the end of the previous campaign, but he is still not very convincing for a £70m defender. Josh Acheampong, in contrast, has impressed when he has played. There is no reason why the England Under-21 international should not be starting.
As for the wing-back positions, Pedro Neto has done well, but Reece James will make Chelsea more solid. Of course, there will be doubts as to whether he can cope with playing at wing-back, especially after his latest injury. On the opposite side, Chavarria has looked like a capable left wing-back in the games he has featured in.