Xabi Alonso has given a clearer indication of how Chelsea could set up this season after experimenting with a different shape in Saturday’s 3-0 win over AC Milan.
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Chelsea operated with a back three for periods of the game, while their shape regularly changed in and out of possession.
Speaking to Chelsea’s official website after the match, Alonso stressed that flexibility will be central to his approach.
“We want to be versatile in our approach and system,” he said, adding that Chelsea have the players capable of adapting to different shapes.
Alonso also explained that the formation itself is only the starting point.
“The system is just a picture; you need to move, rotate and create dynamics [in the team] and that is when the picture becomes a movie.”
That was evident against Milan, with Chelsea’s structure changing depending on the phase of play rather than remaining in one fixed formation.
Alonso added: “We are not just sticking to one idea and the more options that we have, the better team we will be.”
Xabi Alonso has confirmed what I have been saying: that Chelsea will use both a back three and four next season.
Once Chavarría signs, we will have the squad for a back 4 and a back 3. Then how we line up will depend on the opponent we are facing. https://t.co/mrRIZ41xLJ
— Vince™ (@Blue_Footy) August 8, 2026
It suggests Chelsea could switch regularly between a back three and a back four this season, with Alonso placing greater importance on movement, rotations and the relationships between his players than any one formation.
Saturday’s performance offered perhaps the clearest indication yet of what that approach could look like.
