If Chelsea are going to find success in Xabi Alonso’s back three system, they will need to recreate profiles like Victor Moses from their previous time in the formation.
After years of being a bit-part player at Stamford Bridge, Moses would find his calling as the starting right wing-back in Antonio Conte’s 3-4-3 system.
He would play 34 games in their 2016/17 Premier League title-winning campaign, scoring three goals including a crucial winner against title challengers Tottenham.
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Marco Palestra can be Xabi Alonso’s version of Victor Moses at Chelsea
The Nigerian’s brilliance at both ends of the pitch puts him in a similar position to Marco Palestra, who Chelsea have already agreed a deal for with Atalanta.
The 21-year-old has joined at the request of Alonso, and excels in a number of statistics where Moses did nearly a decade ago.
Palestra supplied one more assist last season than Moses managed in the 2016/17 campaign, despite playing for a Cagliari side who languished in mid table in Serie A.
The Italian also registered more key passes and successful dribbles per 90 minutes, as well as being fouled significantly more than the former Chelsea man.
The Chelsea Chronicle have already theorised that his ability to win fouls will be a boost for Reece James, who will be tasked with taking more right-footed set pieces if Enzo Fernandez departs.
If there is an area where Palestra was still lacking behind Moses, it would be in the defensive portion of the game.
Moses averaged more interceptions and clearances per game than his counterpart, although it remains to be seen how important these are if playing as a flying wing-back.
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The introduction of a new right-back has already opened up questions over what the future holds for the current options at the club, James and Malo Gusto.
Reports have stated that Alonso sees James as a central midfielder, where the workload will be far lighter than whoever is bombing up and down the flank.
For Gusto however, Chelsea have set a price of £75m for any interested parties to sign him this summer, with Enzo Maresca’s Manchester City being credited with interest.
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