{"id":726,"date":"2026-08-09T07:25:04","date_gmt":"2026-08-09T07:25:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=726"},"modified":"2026-08-09T07:25:04","modified_gmt":"2026-08-09T07:25:04","slug":"what-xabi-alonso-learned-from-watching-marco-palestra-in-italy-as-chelsea-star-proves-boss-right","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=726","title":{"rendered":"What Xabi Alonso learned from watching Marco Palestra in Italy as Chelsea star proves boss right"},"content":{"rendered":"


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It may only be pre-season, but Marco Palestra has been a bit of a surprise package at Chelsea so far.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Palestra<\/a> starred in Chelsea\u2019s<\/a> 3-0 win against AC Milan on Saturday, helping the Blues to bounce back from back-to-back defeats to Juventus and Tottenham Hotspur.<\/p>\n

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While they did lose against Milan\u2019s Serie A rivals, the defender still impressed that day. In fact, Palestra was perhaps Chelsea\u2019s best player<\/a> in the Juventus loss.<\/p>\n

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Photo by Peksi Cahyo\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Xabi Alonso knew how versatile Marco Palestra was<\/h2>\n

Following Chelsea\u2019s victory over Milan, Xabi Alonso<\/a> has touched on Palestra\u2019s versatility.<\/p>\n

The 21-year-old started in the left wing-back position at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium as Alonso switched to a back three.<\/p>\n

Speaking to Chelsea\u2019s official club website<\/a> after the full-time whistle, Alonso said: \u201cHe is having a great impact. He has a hunger and desire to improve and give his best, and in every game he is getting better and better.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe played in a different position today, but I knew from his time in Italy he is very flexible and versatile in his game. We are happy he is having such a good adaptation [to life at Chelsea].\u201d<\/p>\n

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Which position do you want to see Marco Palestra play in once the season starts? \ud83e\udd14<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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\"Xabi<\/div>
Credit: Andri Munazir\/NurPhoto\/Darren Walsh\/Chelsea FC via Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n

Blues supporters could get the chance to see Palestra play again on Sunday when their side take on Johor Darul Ta\u2019zim in the final game of this summer\u2019s pre-season tour.<\/p>\n

After that, Chelsea have one more friendly against Alonso\u2019s former club Real Sociedad.<\/p>\n

Marco Palestra displays versatility in AC Milan victory<\/h2>\n

For those who were not familiar with Palestra, they are now coming to understand the scope of his versatility, which was on full display against Milan.<\/p>\n

In the previous match, Palestra had played as a right-back. But as already mentioned, he was used as a left wing-back in the Milan win.<\/p>\n

The Italian is quite two-footed, which helps him to play down both flanks. Understandably, most of the attention has been on Morgan Rogers, Danny Welbeck and Jordan Henderson.<\/p>\n

Rogers is one of the best attackers in the Premier League<\/a> and cost Chelsea a club-record \u00a3117m fee. As for Welbeck and Henderson, being in their mid-30s, they were always going to be major talking points after joining the Club World Cup<\/a> winners.<\/p>\n

However, the spotlight could soon turn to Palestra if he continues to impress and show English football how versatile he is.<\/p>\n

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