{"id":5504,"date":"2026-09-20T18:07:58","date_gmt":"2026-09-20T18:07:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=5504"},"modified":"2026-09-20T18:07:58","modified_gmt":"2026-09-20T18:07:58","slug":"the-back-five-xabi-alonso-should-test-out-at-chelsea-after-international-break","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=5504","title":{"rendered":"The back five Xabi Alonso should test out at Chelsea after international break"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Many Chelsea fans want to see Xabi Alonso revert back to a back four after Friday night\u2019s 3-0 loss to Brentford.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Alonso claimed that he would be flexible<\/a> and did begin Chelsea\u2019s<\/a> pre-season with a 4-2-3-1 formation. However, 3-4-2-1 does seem to be his preferred system, so do not be surprised if he sticks with it after the international break.<\/p>\n

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If that does turn out to be the case, Chelsea fans will at least hope to see some changes to a backline that has conceded 12 goals in just five games, the most in the Premier League. But what changes should the Spaniard be considering?<\/p>\n

Well, one of the biggest problems in Chelsea\u2019s defence right now seems to be Levi Colwill<\/a>. Despite being left-footed, he does not look comfortable playing as a left-sided centre-back and in the left channel in Alonso\u2019s<\/a> set-up.<\/p>\n

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What should Xabi Alonso do with Levi Colwill after the international break?<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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At this stage, the best thing to do would be to move Colwill to the central centre-back role, even if it means dropping new signing Maxence Lacroix. If Alonso is insistent on starting the Frenchman there, Colwill may just have to be left out.<\/p>\n

Colwill moving into the centre or being dropped would make room for Jorrel Hato in the side. Hato was very efficient as a left-sided centre-back<\/a> last season, though he was playing in a back two most times. <\/p>\n

To complete the central defence, Wesley Fofana has improved compared to the end of the previous campaign, but he is still not very convincing for a \u00a370m defender. Josh Acheampong, in contrast, has impressed when he has played. There is no reason why the England Under-21 international should not be starting.<\/p>\n

As for the wing-back positions, Pedro Neto has done well<\/a>, but Reece James<\/a> will make Chelsea more solid. Of course, there will be doubts as to whether he can cope with playing at wing-back, especially after his latest injury. On the opposite side, Chavarria<\/a> has looked like a capable left wing-back in the games he has featured in.<\/p>\n

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