Xabi Alonso begins his role as Chelsea manager next month and the Spaniard could have a new role for Blues captain Reece James on the pitch
While there is an abundance of excitement when it comes to Xabi Alonso beginning his role as Chelsea manager, supporters are none the wiser regarding the formation the Spaniard will use during his time at Stamford Bridge.
Alonso is a flexible coach, so it is likely to be fluid – though, most managers have their ‘go-to’ when it comes to a system or shape. During his successful tenure as Bayer Leverkusen boss, Alonso, who starts his role at Chelsea on July 1, found joy by using a 3-4-2-1 formation.
Many are contemplating whether we will see something similar to that with the Blues next season. Though during his much-shorter reign as Real Madrid gaffer, Alonso favoured a four-back system. It really is anyone’s guess what the former Liverpool midfielder will do in terms of the team’s shape next term.
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If he reverts back to his most successful time as a coach, Chelsea supporters will have to get used to seeing a three-back formation. The majority of Blues fans are no strangers when it comes to seeing their side playing with three central defenders; see Antonio Conte ‘s time at Stamford Bridge, or – more recently – Thomas Tuchel ‘s tenure in west London.
While it is unclear what Alonso’s plans will be, there could be a role change for Chelsea captain Reece James, if indeed a three-back system is favoured. Under Tuchel, James was used as a right wing-back – allowing him to advance further up the field and offer more of an attacking threat, but there was also a reliance on the England international to track back and give the side defensive stability down his side.
It is a lot of running and for James, someone who has struggled immensely with muscular injuries over the years, it could be a risk. There is also scope to play him in the back three itself, as the right-sided central defender. Theoretically, it really suits James’ skillset.
The 26-year-old is immense defensively and has the physical attributes to fill in at centre-back. There are not too many physically stronger players than James in the whole of the Premier League. He also has the agility to be one of the ‘wide’ centre-backs; more rigid defenders can struggle in the role.
If Alonso goes for a more conventional back-four, there will still be a huge role for James to play in the side. Whether that’s in his natural right-back position, or whether he steps into the centre of midfield – something he did countless times under Enzo Maresca during the Italian’s season-and-a-half at the club.
Wherever James is on the pitch, his role as captain will be enormous. Sources close to the player and the club have told football.london in recent times of how the versatile defender has grown into the captain’s armband at Chelsea. His influence behind the scenes is understood to be massive – even when, at times, he has been injured and not part of the first-team squad.
James is considered untouchable at Chelsea. He is one of several first-team stars with that title – emphasised by the club rewarding him with a new long-term contract three months ago.
The England defender, who is set to play a big part under Tuchel at this summer’s World Cup, is front and centre of the future at Chelsea. It does not matter what formation Alonso ends up landing on.
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