The Marcelo Bielsa system Xabi Alonso could use to combine Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer

DISCUSS: In this current market, Rogers is a bargain 👀

During their pitch to Rogers, Chelsea pushed the left-wing role to the England star. However, there is no doubt that Rogers is best as a no.10, playing off the striker, as proven by his form in an Aston Villa shirt.

But that is Palmer’s role, and Xabi Alonso has already spoken about building a team around Palmer. The gaffer used a back four against Crawley on Saturday, so how can he combine it all into one formation?

Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds United system can be Alonso solution

While Enzo Fernandez remains a Chelsea player, the chances are he will leave the club before the end of the summer window. Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid remain interested, even if he will cost £120m.

Selling Fernandez would help Alonso utilise a system Marcelo Bielsa used with Leeds United while in the Premier League. A 4-1-4-1 system sounds largely defensive on paper, but Bielsa used it differently.

Indeed, the second block of four was not simply a midfield. It was an attacking quartet that all played behind a lone striker. Ultimately, Bielsa’s Leeds were split into two – a defensive five and an attacking five.

Kalvin Phillips sat in front of a back four, while the likes of Rodrigo Moreno, Raphinha, Jack Harrison and other attacking stars played off Patrick Bamford. A side that would finish ninth after promotion in 2021.

At Chelsea, Alonso could use that system to combine a back four while including Palmer and Rogers as dual no.10s. Moises Caicedo adopts the Phillips role, while Rogers and Palmer sit ahead of him centrally.

Bielsa’s Leeds system is perfect for Rogers and Palmer 🔥

The second back of four is not a midfield, but an attacking quartet.

Estevao could become Chelsea’s new Raphinha in Bielsa system

It might be too attacking for Alonso’s liking, but it would certainly get Chelsea playing high up the pitch and scoring plenty of goals. Pedro Neto potentially moves to the left, and Estevao starts on the right.

Raphinha became a worldwide star while at Leeds under Bielsa, eventually moving to Barcelona. Chelsea have the next Raphinha almost, in Estevao. Such a system would allow Estevao to make that role his own.

Ironic, given Chelsea pushed hard to sign Raphinha from Leeds back in 2022, even offering Leeds more money than the fee Barcelona eventually paid for the Brazil star. Now, of course, he’s a Barcelona icon.

If Alonso is brave enough to play the formation that made Bielsa a Leeds legend, Estevao would thrive on the right. There is no doubt that Chelsea would concede goals, but they would score plenty under Alonso.