Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP via Getty Images
Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP via Getty Images
Split image with four players, which includes: Bruno Guimaraes, Lamine Camara, Alex Scott and Manu Kone
Credit: Getty Images
Photo by Chelsea Football Club/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Photo by Chelsea Football Club/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images
Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images
Split image - Bournemouth's Alex Scott and Lamine Camara of AS Monaco passes the ball
Split image - Bournemouth's Alex Scott and Lamine Camara of AS Monaco passes the ball
Photo by Peksi Cahyo/Getty Images
Photo by Peksi Cahyo/Getty Images
Ruben Amorim was sacked by Manchester United in January. The Portuguese gaffer was unwilling to change his ways, and if Xabi Alonso is as wise as he is talented, he needs to learn from his example.
Amorim lost a third of his games as Man United manager, a total of 21 in 63 matches. The Man United boss, who was seen as charismatic and an up-and-coming manager when he joined, left as stubborn.
The former Sporting Lisbon manager was unwilling to change his formation, even in the midst of huge criticism. Ultimately, that criticism drove Amorim out of Old Trafford, and Alonso has to take note.
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Xabi Alonso needs to change formation and bring Estevao in
So far, Alonso has stuck with his 3-4-2-1 system. Against Brighton and Fulham, it worked. Chelsea won both matches, but they still conceded five goals in doing so. They haven’t won a league game since.
The only other wins came in the Carabao Cup against a League One side and Leeds – another case in which Chelsea won but conceded three. Alonso needs to change it up, or face another Brentford result.
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Gary Lineker doesn’t think Alonso is under pressure yet, but two or three more results like the one at Brentford and the pressure will be on. Alonso has got to change it up, or risk becoming another Amorim.
Alonso needs to use a 4-2-3-1 system and play his best players. That includes Estevao, who has been on fire for Brazil during the break. Taking a centre-back out, Chelsea will be more balanced with Estevao.
Ironically, Amorim had the same results as Alonso after seven
Alonso has four wins, one draw and two defeats from his first seven matches. Amorim won four of his first seven, losing to Arsenal – like Alonso – and losing to Forest, conceding three like Chelsea did at Brentford.
The other result was a draw against a newly-promoted side in Ipswich – again, like Chelsea, in the draw against Hull City. One clean sheet apiece too. It’s all too similar, but Alonso has to shake things up.
He has to look at the similarities he has with Amorim, from results to formation to potential stubbornness. Alonso has to realise that, to remain Chelsea boss, to keep the pressure off, he needs to change things.