Chelsea’s midfield identity under Xabi Alonso remains undefined nine matches into the Premier League season, as the team’s average possession of 47.8% ranks eighth in the league, falling short of the control-based style expected from the Spanish manager, Laodong reported. While the team can exploit space when opponents leave gaps, Alonso is not satisfied with the midfield’s function, having tested several personnel combinations without finding a coordinated duo to dictate the tempo.
The challenge is compounded by significant injury and fitness issues. Reece James has been sidelined with a knee injury since September, and the midfield is lacking in stability. Ahead of the match against Sunderland, Alonso may also be without Moises Caicedo. The Ecuadorian midfielder has recently returned from a calf injury but will not be able to train fully this week due to discomfort. Should Caicedo not recover in time, Jordan Henderson is an experienced alternative. Sunderland is expected to turn the match into a physical contest, which presents a challenge for Chelsea.
Lavia Emerges as Key to Alonso’s Vision
Given Alonso’s need for ball control, Romeo Lavia is seen as the most suitable option to fill the role. However, the biggest obstacle for the 22-year-old Belgian is his physical condition. Lavia joined Chelsea from Southampton three years ago but has been hampered by persistent injuries, rarely getting an opportunity to play in his first season at Stamford Bridge and repeatedly restarting his journey to find a place in the team.
Lavia’s potential has never been in question. He played his first full 90 minutes for Chelsea during the Carabao Cup loss to Liverpool and then continued through the end of the match in the 2-0 victory over Manchester United, where he combined well with Caicedo. Those two positive performances have sent encouraging signals, but Alonso still needs more time to evaluate his ability to maintain fitness.
Alonso Adjusts Lavia’s Preparation
The Spanish coach revealed that Lavia has adjusted his physical preparation plan for this season, although he did not explain the specifics. Alonso believes the midfielder has maintained stable form over the past month and plays an important role in the center of the park. Lavia’s ability to handle the ball, maintain balance, coordinate with teammates, and play through-balls helps him adapt to the style of play Alonso wants to build.
Despite this, Alonso emphasized that the midfielder must continue to improve. The task in the midfield zone does not only lie in individual ability. A good player must also know how to connect positions and make decisions favorable to the team. Chelsea needs a player to assume this role, in addition to Caicedo with his battling power and ability to stop opponent attacks.
The Xhaka Blueprint and a Broken Transfer Plan
Granit Xhaka already played a similar role under Alonso at Bayer Leverkusen when the German team won the Bundesliga championship in 2024. The Swiss midfielder is a link between the lines, helping the team maintain balance in its play. It is not surprising that Alonso wanted to bring Xhaka to Chelsea during the summer transfer window.
However, Chelsea’s midfield reinforcement plan did not go as expected. Valentin Barco, the player brought in from Strasbourg, has not had many opportunities to play. The transfer of Enzo Fernandez to Manchester City for £125 million has also left a significant void in the middle of the park.
What’s Next for Chelsea’s Midfield
Chelsea’s immediate focus is the match against Sunderland, where Alonso will have to make do with a potentially depleted midfield. The team’s ability to establish a clear identity and find the right personnel to execute Alonso’s philosophy remains the central question as the season progresses. The long-term solution may depend on the continued development of Lavia or a future transfer window strategy to fill the creative and controlling roles the team currently lacks. The next significant checkpoint will be how the team performs in the upcoming matches against a demanding fixture list.
