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Roberto Mancini has advice for Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso, ‘I don’t think he can’
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Xabi Alonso has made an indifferent start to life as Chelsea manager, and the problem seems to be a lack of consistency, with the Spaniard unsure what his best team is. Roberto Mancini has some advice.
Chelsea have suffered the second-most injuries among Premier League clubs this season. That was reported before Josh Acheampong and Emi Martinez missed Sunday’s 1-0 defeat to Sunderland.
One player who has suffered under Chelsea’s injury crisis this season is Marco Palestra. The Italy star made a real impression in pre-season, but injury stopped Palestra from playing at the start of the season.
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Mancini has advice for Alonso regarding Palestra
Given Chelsea’s extensive injury list, Palestra has already played in numerous positions since his return from injury. Right wing-back, right-back and even starting as a left-back in the win against Man United.
It is unclear what Palestra’s best position is, though he is naturally a right-back. While on loan at Cagliari last season, 31 of his 37 appearances came as a right-winger though. Palestra is now with Italy’s squad.
We have graded some of Xabi Alonso's key roles at Chelsea so far. What grade would you give him and why?
You kidding right lacroix ok but wellbeck is an old man he’s not even playing him he needs time to get his players in to play his system fofana gusto need to go we need depth as well in several positions
I think B for transfers is generous. Lacroix & Palestra haven’t been great. D for substitutions is spot on too. I’m still confident he’ll get it right though
3 windows!? We just signed Lacroix & Welbeck to fix those issues 🤦♂️
With Palestra one of 31 Chelsea players to be called up this month, manager Roberto Mancini was asked about Chelsea’s £47m signing. He made it clear to reporters and Alonso that his best role is right-back.
“I think he’s a very offensive right-back, I don’t think he can be a winger, but he’s very young so he can become as such. It’ll take time to regain fitness, but he has great quality, he is an attacking full-back.”
When Reece James returns, who should start at right-back?
This season, Reece James, Palestra, Malo Gusto, and even Josh Acheampong have played at right-back. It highlights Chelsea’s lack of consistency, with Alonso tinkering and forced into changes given the injuries.
But with all four fit, who should start? Alonso’s preferred midfield is James and Moises Caicedo, meaning that when the England star is fit, the chances are James starts in midfield, rather than at right-back.
When Chelsea play with a back three, Acheampong on the right of that three makes sense. Given the form of Wesley Fofana and Levi Colwill, Acheampong might even be the better pick at centre-back.
It is quite clear that Alonso does not see Gusto as a starter, with the France star not starting a league game since the draw against Hull. When all are fit then, it looks like Palestra is first choice at right-back.