Chelsea's pre-season finale against Real Sociedad was a mixed bag, with Xabi Alonso's side displaying both the strengths and weaknesses of their new 3-4-3 formation. The Blues' 3-1 victory was a welcome result, but the performance left fans and pundits with plenty to ponder as the new season looms.
One of the most intriguing aspects of the game was the continued use of the back three by Alonso. The Spanish manager has been a vocal advocate of this system, having successfully employed it at Bayer Leverkusen, and it seems he is determined to stick with it. However, the execution against Real Sociedad was not without its flaws. Chelsea's defense, particularly in the first half, struggled to cope with the opposition's pace and movement, leading to a deserved equaliser from Jon Mikel Aramburu.
One of the key talking points of the game was the performance of Morgan Rogers, who scored within 10 minutes of his debut. Rogers, a British-record signing, showed glimpses of his potential, but he was also a victim of the team's poor first-half performance. His goal was a tap-in, but it was the only highlight for Chelsea in a half where they were outplayed.
Enzo Fernandez, meanwhile, had a bizarre reception from the home crowd. The Argentine midfielder, who has been linked with a move to Manchester City, was booed by some fans when he was introduced as a substitute. This was a surprising turn of events, given the fact that Fernandez is a key player for Chelsea and is likely to be central to Alonso's plans. The booing decreased as the game went on, and by the end, fans were chanting his name.
One thing that immediately stands out is the reliance on Joao Pedro as Chelsea's only recognised striker. Pedro has been in red-hot form, scoring seven goals in five appearances, but he is not a natural fit for the role. The lack of options in attack is a concern, and it is clear that Alonso needs to strengthen this area if he is to have a successful season.
The formation itself remains a work in progress. While it has its merits, particularly in terms of fluidity and the ability to play with a four-man defence, it also has its drawbacks. The wing-backs, Marco Palestra and Pedro Neto, were penned into a back five, while Rogers and Cole Palmer operated as inside forwards. This meant that the back three were often exposed, and the team struggled to get out of their half in the first half.
Alonso's system did have its moments of success, particularly in the second half. Chelsea improved significantly, with Joao Pedro scoring twice and the back three dominating the ball on the halfway line. However, the issues in the first half were too deep-rooted to be easily fixed.
In my opinion, the 3-4-3 formation is a work in progress, and it is clear that Alonso has a lot of work to do if he is to make it a success. The team needs to be more fluid and dynamic, and the defense needs to be more solid. The lack of options in attack is a concern, and it is clear that Alonso needs to strengthen this area if he is to have a successful season.
One thing that is clear is that Alonso has a lot of work to do if he is to make Chelsea a force in the Premier League. The team has its strengths, but it also has its weaknesses, and it is up to the manager to address these issues and build a team that can compete at the top level.
From my perspective, the key to success for Chelsea lies in the hands of Alonso. He has the talent and the vision, but he needs to be more ruthless in his approach and make some difficult decisions if he is to build a team that can challenge for titles. The future is uncertain, but one thing is clear: Chelsea has a lot of work to do if it is to live up to its potential.
