Chelsea went into the international break off the back of a 3-0 defeat to Brentford, taking their winless league run to three games.
The extended break gave Blues players, staff and fans plenty of time to reflect on what happened. Particularly on that night at the Gtech.
Many Chelsea fans will be clinching onto the fact that the Blues were missing four key players in that loss. But Moises Caicedo, Marco Palestra, Joao Pedro and Reece James all appear to be on the verge of returning to action.
So, how could these returns impact Xabi Alonso‘s team after the international break?
Chelsea’s returnees
Moises Caicedo
Moises Caicedo has been paramout to any Chelsea sucess over the past few seasons. He’s played 148 games across all compeititons since joining the Blues in 2023.
So far this season, the 24-year-old has only managed a 14-minute cameo in the Premier League, coming off the bench against former side Brighton and Hove Albion. But he had to be taken off after reinjuring his calf.
Caicedo’s return can have a huge effect on Alonso’s system both on and off the ball. The Blues are struggling to control games but also leak goals for fun, with the worst defensive record in the league.
Crucial Caicedo
Off the ball, Chelsea have been looking to press from a 5-2-3 shape, with the two central midfielders taking more more man-oriented responsibilities. This not only suits Caicedo’s intense defending style, but also improves the teams ability to regain possession in dangerous areas and launch direct attacks. Something that has been a key component of Chelsea’s identity this season.
The Ecuadorian can often be seen primarily as a ball-winning midfielder. But his technical ability is just as important to his game. He has a big influence on the buildup phase and creates a more connective approach between each unit.
Caicedo has now played under both Roberto De Zerbi and Enzo Maresca, two managers that emphasise the importance of buildup to establish control in games.
His understanding of positioning to offer himself as a passing option in the buildup, receive behind the opposition’s front press and connect passes/change the rhythm of the game to control the tempo and establish control will be pivotal to Alonso’s system moving forward.
Then there’s the fact that Caicedo already has good synergy with other components of Chelsea’s buildup pahse. An improvement in this area feels likely upon Caicedo’s return.
Marco Palestra
Marco Palestra was the first signing of the Alonso era at Chelsea. But he is yet to play a competitive minute due to an injury picked up in pre-season. Chelsea beat Inter Milan to the 21-year-old thanks to Alonso’s personal involvement.
As a result, it feels pretty clear that the Spaniard had a specific and important role for Palestra in mind. The Serie A Defender of the Year spent last season on loan with Cagliari, mainly as a right wing-back. But he also showed the versatility to play right-back and both positions on the left.
During pre-season, we saw Palestra play on both the left and the right side of defence for Alonso’s Chelsea. He showed that he could be used to form different attacking synergies and act as a Swiss Army knife.
Despite being right-footed, Palestra is also extremely capable on his left. He’ll often choose to carry the ball with his left, and has the ability to cross, pass and shoot with both feet.
But Palestra’s biggest strength is his ability and movement off the ball. The Italian looks to run in behind, cause chaos for the defensive line and create space for others through his activity.
While playing Palestra down the right is an option, Pedro Neto has done a good job so far in this position. He has given Alonso’s side flexibility to shift between a back four and back five system, acting as a right wing-back/right winger.
Palestra down the left with Morgan Rogers operating inside could be the perfect fit. He’d allowed Rogers to drift more centrally and combine with the likes of Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro, while the Italian roams to provide width down that flank and attack space in behind.
Joao Pedro
Joao Pedro’s impact on Alonso’s Chelsea has already been shown this season. The Brazilian has three goals and three assists in his four Premier League games so far.
But the Brazilian missed Chelsea’s 3-0 defeat to Brentford through injury. And the difference between him and understudy Danny Welbeck was clear to see.
Welbeck has his strengths. The Englishman joined the club this summer to provide more experience and already showing his ability in front of goal, scoring three goals in his two Carabao Cup starts. But his overall game is a big drop off from the quality of Joao Pedro upfront.
Chelsea struggled to make things stick against Brentford when going direct into Welbeck, an area of play that Joao Pedro excels in. There was also a moment where Palmer looked to play a slipped pass in behind to Welbeck, who just doesn’t have the pace he once did to take advantage of the open spaces and punish teams.
Joao Pedro has also been establishing a strong connection and synergy with both Palmer and Rogers as part of the front three.
The Brazilian himself has spoken about it, and how his link up with each is different. But, overall, his job is the “run, and then they’re going to find me”.
Keeping this front three together as much as possible to continue building those relationships, understanding each others strengths and playing to them is bound to impact results positively. So the return of Joao Pedro this season is a massive plus.
Reece James
Chelsea captain Reece James also missed the defeat to Brentford. And he only came off the bench for 22 minutes against Brighton.
The Englishman has started three of Chelsea’s five league games so far this season, with the Blues managing his load. Interestingly, Alonso has started that he sees James primarily as a midfielder. It’s something Maresca did in order to limit James’ workload running up and down the flank. The hope was to keep James fit for longer stretches to help the team.
There is the potential to establish a midfield partnership between Caicedo and James when both return. They have already played in a double pivot alongside each other under Maresca.
However, once Caicedo returns, it will be interesting to see if there is any other usage for James. He can also play in a right centre-back position, as he did previously under Thomas Tuchel.
James also played as an inverted full-back under Maresca, which Alonso could experiment with in order to shift between a back four and back five system, while still keeping the 26-year-old away from a bombing full-back role.
All four of these players are bound to help Chelsea and Alonso over the next stretch of games, giving the new manager more solutions and options to make changes and address areas of concern after a hot and cold start to the campaign.