{"id":4048,"date":"2026-09-10T12:00:32","date_gmt":"2026-09-10T12:00:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=4048"},"modified":"2026-09-10T12:00:32","modified_gmt":"2026-09-10T12:00:32","slug":"xabi-alonso-is-surely-about-to-have-his-own-antonio-conte-moment-while-in-charge-of-chelsea","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=4048","title":{"rendered":"Xabi Alonso is surely about to have his own Antonio Conte moment while in charge of Chelsea"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\"\"\/ Add to Preferred Sources<\/span> <\/a> <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Xabi Alonso has enjoyed a mostly positive start to life at Chelsea, however there are still clear issues that need addressing at Stamford Bridge.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Blues have won four of their first five games of the campaign in all competitions, with the latest being a 6-3 victory over Leeds United in the EFL Cup.<\/p>\n

\n

The brilliance of Morgan Rogers<\/a> and Cole Palmer<\/a> papers over the cracks of the early stages of that game, with Chelsea at one point 2-0 down and clearly second best.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
<\/header>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n

Mauricio Pochettino thinks Chelsea should be STRIPPED of the 2016\/17 PL title<\/h3>\n

Has he got a point, or is he talking rubbish?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

\n
\n
\"\"<\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n

Xabi Alonso is surely about to have his Antonio Conte moment at Chelsea<\/h2>\n

While there are more goals under Alonso<\/a>, the start is not too dissimilar to life under Antonio Conte<\/a>, when Chelsea went on to win the league in 2016\/17.<\/p>\n

The Blues won their first three games of the season in entertaining fashion, however came unstuck in September when they were humbled by Arsenal.<\/p>\n

This was the first game where Conte trialled playing three-at-the-back after subbing on Marcos Alonso, and went on to win 13 consecutive games as they rampaged towards the title.<\/p>\n

A similar drastic change is surely going to happen for the current boss when he is able to use Moises Caicedo<\/a> on a regular basis in the heart of midfield.<\/p>\n

The Ecuador international has only made one appearance this season against Brighton, where he came off the bench but was forced off again with a calf injury.<\/p>\n

\n
\"Arsenal<\/div>
Photo by Paul Gilham\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Caicedo has now returned to training<\/a>, however surely will not be risked for the game against Hull on Saturday.<\/p>\n

Chelsea have been struggling for midfield options in the absence of the South American, and it has been their weakest area on the pitch.<\/p>\n

Both Reece James and Malo Gusto have been used in the position, however are clearly better suited to the right-back position.<\/p>\n

The fact they were unable to replace Enzo Fernandez in the final hours of the transfer window has only increased the level of importance on Caicedo too, and he is expected to bring some security that the back three have not had this season.<\/p>\n

This could be the moment everything clicks for Chelsea, and could replicate what happened when Antonio Conte brought Alonso into his side 10 years ago.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n
<\/svg><\/p>\n
Join Our Newsletter<\/span><\/p>\n

Receive a digest of our best Chelsea content each week direct to your mailbox<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\"\"\/ Add to Preferred Sources<\/span> <\/a> <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n