{"id":2064,"date":"2026-08-24T10:49:27","date_gmt":"2026-08-24T10:49:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=2064"},"modified":"2026-08-24T10:49:27","modified_gmt":"2026-08-24T10:49:27","slug":"xabi-alonso-gives-his-clearest-indication-yet-that-chelsea-will-use-a-back-three-vs-fulham","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=2064","title":{"rendered":"Xabi Alonso gives his clearest indication yet that Chelsea will use a back three vs Fulham"},"content":{"rendered":"


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\"\"\/ Add as preferred source on Google<\/span> <\/a> <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

There has been a lot of talk about what formation Xabi Alonso will use at Chelsea this season.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Alonso<\/a> had great success with a 3-4-2-1 set-up at Bayer Leverkusen before switching to a back four at Real Madrid.<\/p>\n

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In pre-season this summer, Alonso used both systems, though he has stated that he is going to be flexible at Chelsea<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Ultimately, Chelsea fans can expect to see a back three this term, whether it is from the start of games or during different parts of the match.<\/p>\n

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Who are Chelsea\u2019s world-class players?<\/h3>\n

We’re going with Cole Palmer, Reece James, Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez! \ud83e\udd29<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Photo by Richard Pelham\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n

Speaking to Sky Sports<\/a> ahead of the Blues\u2019 trip to Fulham on Monday night, Alonso said: \u201cLots of teams play three at the back in certain parts of the game. You see each team has to be so sophisticated to prepare for each game and know what they\u2019re going to do because each team, they prepare so well.\u201d<\/p>\n

If Chelsea do start with a back three against Fulham, Alonso will not be able to call upon Wesley Fofana.<\/p>\n

Fofana is suspended after receiving a red card against Sunderland at the end of last season. It means Josh Acheampong, Reece James or Jorrel Hato could come into the side to be the third centre-back.<\/p>\n

Levi Colwill and Maxence Lacroix both started alongside Fofana in Chelsea\u2019s final pre-season game against Real Sociedad and will be expected to keep their places at Craven Cottage regardless of what formation Alonso uses.<\/p>\n

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At the opposite end of the pitch, Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and Joao Pedro should all get the nod.<\/p>\n

Chelsea cannot afford to get complacent, especially after what happened in the other games over the weekend. But they have more than enough in their arsenal to beat Alvaro Arbeloa\u2019s side.<\/p>\n

Opta\u2019s supercomputer has given Chelsea a 51% chance<\/a> of defeating Fulham, but football is played on the pitch and not on software.<\/p>\n

Alonso\u2019s men simply have to get the job done after the referee blows his whistle. With a defence of Colwill and Lacroix and an attack of Palmer, Rogers and Pedro, you would expect them to, but we are going to have to wait and see.<\/p>\n

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