{"id":17024,"date":"2026-07-13T20:52:59","date_gmt":"2026-07-13T20:52:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=17024"},"modified":"2026-07-13T20:52:59","modified_gmt":"2026-07-13T20:52:59","slug":"marco-palestra-will-be-licking-his-lips-after-xabi-alonsos-first-press-conference-as-chelsea-boss","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=17024","title":{"rendered":"Marco Palestra will be licking his lips after Xabi Alonso’s first press conference as Chelsea boss"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Marco Palestra could be in for a very exciting debut season at Stamford Bridge following Xabi Alonso\u2019s first press conference as Chelsea manager.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Alonso was unveiled to the media on Monday afternoon and discussed many topics, including new signing Palestra.<\/p>\n

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Palestra joined Chelsea in a big-money deal at the start of the month, arriving from Atalanta for a \u00a347m fee.<\/p>\n

Alonso has now hinted where Palestra could play next season, which should excite the defender.<\/p>\n

In his press conference, Alonso highlighted the fact that Palestra can play as a wing-back, suggesting that he could be used as one in the new campaign.<\/p>\n

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Who would you start in a five-man defence for Chelsea?<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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Speaking in his presser, which was broadcast live on Chelsea\u2019s official club website, Alonso said: \u201cHe has many great qualities for modern football. He can play in a back four or a back five, on the left. We need to keep working with him to adapt to the Premier League. He has a great mentality in terms of competitiveness and his hunger.\u201d<\/p>\n

While Palestra can also play as a full-back, as Alonso mentioned, he spent most of last season playing in the right wing-back position at Atalanta.<\/p>\n

It is a role, then, that the Italy international is very familiar with. Playing there also means that he will get plenty of opportunities to get forward and attack.<\/p>\n

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Ultimately, following Alonso\u2019s press conference, Palestra has good reason to be excited about his move to Chelsea and the 2026\/27 campaign. He will be licking his lips over the prospect of getting to play in a position that allows him to dribble and attack.<\/p>\n

There is no guarantee that Alonso is going to use a back five at Chelsea every game, but it does look like it will be an option for the 44-year-old. It probably needs to be after the way the Blues defended last term.<\/p>\n

Bringing an extra defender into the team and using wing-backs could help Chelsea to improve in that area without losing their attacking threat.<\/p>\n

Chelsea are interested in Maxence Lacroix, so the Crystal Palace man could be one of the three centre-halves Alonso uses in his preferred 3-4-2-1 formation. <\/p>\n

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