{"id":797,"date":"2026-08-09T19:15:34","date_gmt":"2026-08-09T19:15:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=797"},"modified":"2026-08-09T19:15:34","modified_gmt":"2026-08-09T19:15:34","slug":"two-surprising-decisions-xabi-alonso-made-in-chelseas-draw-with-jdt-he-wont-do-it-in-the-league","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=797","title":{"rendered":"Two surprising decisions Xabi Alonso made in Chelsea’s draw with JDT, he won’t do it in the league"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Chelsea\u2019s 3-3 draw with Johor Darul Ta\u2019zim<\/strong> on Sunday had everything, with Xabi Alonso certainly having a role in this exciting affair.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The game had goals, penalties, brawls and a cancelled penalty shoot-out, which left one Chelsea<\/a> employee far from happy.<\/p>\n

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After the full-time whistle, Chelsea\u2019s head of first-team operations Kevin Campello was heard saying: \u201cIt\u2019s written in the contract.\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n

All in all, it was a very interesting game as Alonso<\/a> made some surprising calls.<\/p>\n

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Which Chelsea player caught your eye?<\/h3>\n

Chelsea player ratings V JDT.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Liam Delap\u2019s best display in a Chelsea shirt! \ud83d\ude2e<\/p>\n

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Dario Essugo being named Chelsea captain<\/h2>\n

Reece James, Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo and Levi Colwill were all absent for different reasons.<\/p>\n

Even so, it was quite surprising to see Alonso name 21-year-old Dario Essugo<\/a> captain from the start of the match. The more experienced Tosin Adarabioyo, who has captained Chelsea in the past, was available and also named in the first XI.<\/p>\n

Essugo would have enjoyed his moment, but the Portuguese should not expect to see himself with the captain\u2019s armband once the season starts.<\/p>\n

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Jamie Gittens and Geovany Quenda starting at wing-back<\/h2>\n

Jamie Gittens<\/a> starting in the left wing-back position and Geovany Quenda<\/a> being deployed on the opposite flank also would have been a shock to many.<\/p>\n

Quenda has, of course, played as a wing-back at Sporting, but it was a new experience for Gittens, which was clear to see.<\/p>\n

Unsurprisingly, Gittens was quite dangerous going forward. However, defensively, he was really exploited. In the first half, all of JDT\u2019s attacks came down the left flank.<\/p>\n

In the Premier League<\/a>, Gittens at left wing-back is not something we should see again. Alonso will have Jorrel Hato, Marco Palestra and Pep Chavarria, who can all play there.<\/p>\n

Chavarria is set to join Chelsea<\/a> from Rayo Vallecano, with the Spaniard being a more natural option for the position. It has been an interesting pre-season tour, which Alonso has contributed to with his team selections and different systems.<\/p>\n

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