Xabi Alonso has endured a mixed start as Chelsea manager.
The Blues won their first three competitive games under the Spaniard but have now managed just one victory from their past four. They’ve lost two of those games, including a 3-0 defeat to Brentford ahead of the international break.
The main positive from Alonsi’s reign so far has been the potency of his front three. Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and Joao Pedro have combined for 14 goals and assists after just five games this season.
Like many attacking trios, Chelsea’s have been given a name — both labelled as “JPMorgan” and “CPR”.
While there are plenty of positives coming from the attacking organisation for Alonso at Chelsea, there are multiple factors that must be analysed to fully understand the trade offs at hand and the long term success of the Blues’ attacking unit.
In this article, we’ll cover
How the trio compare
Palmer leads the way among the Chelsea trio in the majority of creative metrics. The Englishman has scored two goals and provided two assists in the first five Premier League games. Palmer has averaged 2.3 chances created per 90 minutes in the Premier League this season, and completed the most take-ons (1.9 per 90). He is the most-keen shooter too, averaging 2.5 shots per 90. Of those, 1.1 have hit the target, but just 11.76% have resulted in goals.
Rogers matches Palmer for his 2.3 chances created per 90, despite only having one league assist to his name. However, Chelsea’s summer signing did manage a hat-trick of assists against Leeds United in the Carabao Cup.
The England international is also averaging 1.9 take-ons completed per 90, level again with Palmer in this metric. But Rogers is averaging more touches inside the opposition box with 6.0 per 90.
Lastly, Joao Pedro leads Chelsea for both goals and assists, despite only playing in four of the opening five league games. The Brazilian has scored three goals and provided three assists.
He has shown the perfect blend between physical and creative traits this season. Joao Pedro has averaged 3.5 aerial duels won per 90, with 3.0 fouls won per 90. He’s also averaged 7.3 touches in the opposition box per 90 and completed 70% of his attempted take-ons.
Attacking conditions
Chelesa sit third in the Premier League for direct attacks this season, with 11. But they sit first for their two direct attacks ending in a goal.
The Blues have shown intent to attack in a much more direct fashion in the early stages of Alonso’s tenure. They look to find the front line with open space as much as possible, in a few different ways.
Chelsea have the second-lowest possession in the Premier League across the opening three weeks of the season. Only Hull City averaged less possession than the Blues. Chelsea’s possession has jumped to 47.5% after five games, with the Blues’ dominating possession against both Hull and Brentford.
Absorbing the pressure
With less of the ball, Chelsea have been absorbing the pressure deeper inside their own half. It creates advantages once possession is regained to attack the larger spaces left in behind.
But Chelsea aren’t only created these conditions through transitions. They are also looking to be direct when they possess the ball, starting from goal kicks. Emiliano Martinez has been going long the majority of the time, looking to hit Joao Pedro and Rogers as outlets and gain territory that way.
Naturally, by having less of the ball, Chelsea have been absorbing pressure deeper inside their own half, which creates advantages once possession is regained to attack the larger spaces left in behind. This is particularly useful with most teams pressing man-for-man from goal kicks.
In more settled possession phases, Chelsea are still trying to create this verticality to play more direct into open spaces, often dropping a midfielder into the backline.
The aim is to drag the opposition press out, leaving a large space in the middle of the pitch for players to drop into and combine. But also having runners on the last line to stretch with runs in behind, which Chelsea often look to pick out with long balls from the midfielder dropping deep.
Disadvantages
These methods are all well and good when it comes to getting the best out of Chelsea’s front three. But it can create some disadvantages to the overall game balance. And the main ones are centred about control of the ball.
By looking to attack quickly when possession is regained, Chelsea often create a chasm of space between their two units — the defence/midfield and the front line. This opens the game up into a transitional and more chaotic gamestate. If Chelsea don’t manage to finish an attack and have the ball turned over, spaces for the opposition to access and hurt the Blues in transition appear.
Another disadvantage can be that lack of control with the ball, allowing the opposition to dominate possession and dictate the game. This puts added pressure on the defensive unit to absorb pressure, with the opponents having a high volume of actions in Chelsea’s half. It has contributed to Chelsea’s poor defensive record this season, already conceding 12 goals in five games.
Know your personnel
When creating a functional attack in football, a popular basketball can be used. Know your personnel.
Asked about the front line and their connections, Joao Pedro said: “With Cole, I try to always give the ball to his feet.
“With Morgan it’s more to the space, or to let him in a one-on-one situation. And my job is to just run, and they are going to find me!”
This speaks to the developing synergy between the trio in attack. Palmer and Pedro played alongside each other last season, while Rogers and his compatriot were also childhood friends.
Whenever Palmer gets the ball, there is a clear emphasis from both Pedro and Rogers to make runs off the ball. It gives him as many possible passing options to benefit his best traits. Alonso has also given both Palmer and Rogers freedom to move across the front line, starting on their strong sides. But they still have the license to drift across, making blindside runs and creating overloads.
Rogers often finds himself making those runs to support Palmer when he has the ball, acting more as a second striker alongside Pedro.
Pedro’s role in the front line is slightly different. Although he is looking to make runs beyond and receive passes from his teammates, the hybrid nature of his profile allows the Brazilian to contribute in many different ways.
Alonso’s influence
Alonso also knows his personnel, and is providing optimal conditions for his forwards.
The Spaniard knows Rogers thrives in larger open spaces where he can carry the ball over distance and arrive with momentum in the final third. He knows Palmer thrives with space ahead of him to pick passes into, with plenty of runners moving into depth. And he knows Joao Pedro can provide a blend of the two, having the physicality and hold up play to bring things together, but also the technique and combination play to link things together and create danger in the opposition’s defensive third.
Now the question becomes about balance. Can Alonso find the correct balance between direct attacks to maximise the trio’s qualities? But can he also continue to develop a synergy between his attacking unit to unlock more settled defensive units and find advantages in a slower more controlled manner in the attacking third.