Table of Content
Xabi Alonso is still working to establish his team’s identity at Chelsea, where midfield inconsistencies and injuries to key players continue to disrupt plans. As the team prepares to visit Sunderland, squad fitness remains a major concern.
Midfield Struggles and Tactical Identity
Chelsea’s average possession stands at 47.8% after nine league games, placing them eighth in the Premier League for passes. While the side excels on the counterattack, Alonso is yet to witness a complete performance and acknowledges that the midfield requires significant improvement. The engine room has lacked consistency, and Reece James has been sidelined with a knee injury since September.
Further complications arose this week as Moisés Caicedo has not trained fully due to discomfort in his calf. If Caicedo fails a late fitness test, Jordan Henderson stands as the obvious replacement to bring experience against Sunderland. Alongside injury concerns for striker João Pedro and centre-back Maxence Lacroix, Alonso must constantly adjust his lineup.
Roméo Lavia’s Resurgence
Roméo Lavia offers the poise and elegance Alonso desires in his system, provided his fitness holds. Following an injury-plagued career since joining Chelsea three years ago from Southampton, the 22-year-old recently completed his first full 90 minutes in a Carabao Cup match against Liverpool, followed by another dominant full display alongside Caicedo in a 2-0 win over Manchester United.
Alonso noted that Lavia has made physical preparation changes this season to improve his conditioning. Alonso praised Lavia’s recent consistency, ball-playing ability, and tactical intelligence in the middle of the pitch. Alonso stated that every time the midfield functions properly, the entire team performs better.
Squad Building and Future Plans
Alonso is searching for a central conductor to complement Caicedo’s defensive work, similar to how Granit Xhaka glued Leverkusen together when Alonso won the Bundesliga in 2024. Chelsea attempted to secure midfield reinforcements during the transfer window following the departure of Enzo Fernández to Manchester City, but moves for targets like Lamine Camara and Alex Scott did not materialize.
Chelsea have not yet trusted summer signing Valentín Barco from Strasbourg, leaving options limited. With ongoing interest in players like Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton and Alex Scott, Chelsea are expected to revisit their midfield options in January to provide Alonso with the depth needed for consistency.
