Xabi Alonso is one name in contention to succeed Liam Rosenior as Chelsea manager.
Rosenior was sacked last week, and it has now been reported that Alonso could take over as Chelsea boss.
With that in mind, The Chelsea Chronicle has come up with a potential XI under Alonso based on his previous teams and transfer rumours.
Xabi Alonso is the BEST candidate for the Chelsea job 👌
How Chelsea could look in Xabi Alonso’s successful 3-4-2-1 formation
At Real Madrid, Alonso mostly used a back four, but the 44-year-old preferred a back three at Bayer Leverkusen.
According to Transfermarkt, the 3-4-2-1/3-4-3 formation is his favourite set-up and is what Leverkusen used to win the Bundesliga title undefeated in the 2023/24 season. Therefore, Chelsea fans should not be surprised to see him use something similar at Stamford Bridge.
Levi Colwill, Jorrel Hato and Trevoh Chalobah could make up Alonso’s back three, while there could be a change in goal if Mike Penders returns from his loan at Strasbourg and remains in west London.
There are doubts surrounding Marc Cucurella’s future, but the Spaniard and Reece James would both be excellent wing-backs. Both men carry an attacking threat from their current full-back positions, though Cucurella is probably better at inverting than staying out wide.
Liverpool’s Jeremie Frimpong was basically a right winger under Alonso at Leverkusen and thrived in his role. There is no doubt that James could do similar.
Midfield is where things get really interesting. Like Cucurella, there is no guarantee that Enzo Fernandez will be at Chelsea next season, and even if he is, a double pivot of the Argentine and Moises Caicedo is not going to suffice in the big games. Caicedo and Lavia will be more mobile and solid if the latter can remain fit.
Further ahead, Cole Palmer could start on the right but drift into the half-spaces, a lot like Pedro and Eden Hazard used to in the same system under Antonio Conte. It would mean no place for Estevao Willian, though.
It is quite clear that Chelsea need to sign a new left winger in the summer. Alejandro Garnacho has not worked out, while Jamie Gittens has barely kicked a ball because of injuries. Anthony Gordon is thought to be on Chelsea’s shortlist.
Up front is pretty straightforward. Joao Pedro has been one of the best strikers in the Premier League this season and will be one of the first names on the Chelsea teamsheet next term.
What will Xabi Alonso go with if he gets the Chelsea job, a back three or back four? 🧐
Of course, there is no guarantee that Alonso gets the Chelsea job. And if the Liverpool legend does, he could always use a back four like at Real Madrid.
However, it was a back three that brought Alonso great success at Leverkusen, and looking at how Chelsea have defended this year, having an extra centre-half on the pitch would probably benefit them.
Receive a digest of our best Chelsea content each week direct to your mailbox
