What tactics might Alonso use at Chelsea?

Chelsea’s takeover in 2022 brought instability, leading to the appointment of Xabi Alonso to restore top-level competitiveness. Alonso previously transformed Bayer Leverkusen from near the bottom into unbeaten Bundesliga champions, and he later led Real Madrid with a strong win record before leaving after conflicts with star players. His coaching approach emphasizes principles over fixed formations, using systems that adapt to the players available and the opposition’s setup. He has used shapes such as 4-2-3-1, 4-3-3, and 3-4-3, with back-five decisions made to counter opponents’ back lines. At Leverkusen, wing-backs enabled high, wide attacking, making a back five practical. At Madrid, midfielders and attackers offered different options for similar tactical goals.

"Things have been rocky since BlueCo took over Chelsea in 2022, but former Bayer Leverkusen and Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso has been entrusted to get the London club competing at the highest level again. Liam Rosenior failed to live up to the potential Chelsea thought he had, with many believing his relative inexperience played a part. Alonso, 44, is only three years older but boasts an impressive body of work - taking over a Leverkusen side second from bottom before turning them into unbeaten Bundesliga champions the following season."

"Increasingly, for many coaches, systems are less rooted in one specific formation. Rather, modern coaches have a set of principles and beliefs they aim to drill into their squad. Alonso is one of these coaches. While at Real Sociedad's B team, he would often start in a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 shape. In his last season with Sociedad B, he had moved to 3-4-3, a formation he would become known for, using it to much success at Leverkusen."

"For Alonso, these decisions are informed by players - both his own and those of the opponents. At times, he has opted for a back five in order to match an opposition back-five system, as seen in Madrid's 1-0 win against Juventus in the Club World Cup. At Leverkusen, with impressive wing-backs such as Jeremie Frimpong and Alejandro Grimaldo, Alonso had wide defenders comfortable attacking high and wide. This made the decision to play with a back five on paper an easy one."

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