Chelsea's Midfield Conundrum: Alonso Seeks Stability Amidst Injuries

Roméo Lavia's revival isn't quite enough for Chelsea, as injuries to pivotal players like Moisés Caicedo continue to disrupt the team's flow. Xabi Alonso, a former star under Pep Guardiola at Bayern Munich and a linchpin for Spain during their midfield dominance from 2008 to 2012, understands the value of control. Yet, there’s a noticeable gap between his playing identity and the style his Chelsea side has been exhibiting. Currently, Chelsea holds an average possession rate of 47.8% after nine league matches, ranking them eighth in the Premier League for total passes. They thrive on the counterattack, ready to capitalize on space, but Alonso hasn’t yet witnessed a fully cohesive performance and is aware of the pressing need for improvement in midfield. The midfield is proving to be a troublesome area. Reece James has been sidelined with a knee injury since September, leaving the engine room lacking in consistency. Alonso has tried various partnerships but still hasn’t identified a go-to lineup. If Caicedo can’t recover in time for the trip to Sunderland on Sunday, he’ll be forced to make yet another adjustment. Caicedo, who has already dealt with a calf injury, has been feeling discomfort this week and hasn’t trained fully. This adds to Alonso's challenges, as he grapples with injuries to other key players. João Pedro is out due to a thigh injury, and Maxence Lacroix is dealing with a hamstring issue, which means more shuffling is on the horizon if Caicedo can’t prove his fitness against the league’s bottom team. Jordan Henderson stands out as a likely replacement for Caicedo. Chelsea might need the former Liverpool captain's experience, especially since Sunderland may look to turn the match into a physical battle. They’ll also need composure, something Lavia can provide if he can stay fit — a big if, considering his injury history. We’ve seen this story with Lavia before. Since joining from Southampton three years ago, he’s faced a string of fitness setbacks. Despite his undeniable talent, the question remains: can he stay healthy enough to contribute? Chelsea is still hopeful about the 22-year-old’s future. Lavia has the skill set to excel, though durability is a concern. He managed to complete a full 90 minutes during the recent Carabao Cup shootout loss to Liverpool — a significant achievement, considering he hadn’t done so before. His impressive performance alongside Caicedo in a 2-0 victory over Manchester United last weekend was a positive sign, yet caution persists. Alonso demands more consistency. He noted that Lavia has adjusted his physical training this season. “There has been a change,” Alonso mentioned, although he didn’t go into detail. There are no doubts about Lavia’s professionalism; he’s driven and smart. It’s likely a matter of optimizing his conditioning. If they nail that down, Chelsea could have a top-tier midfielder on their hands. “Every time the midfield functions well, the team performs better,” Alonso emphasized. “Rom is in a good place; he’s been consistent and crucial for us. In midfield, you need a brain that’s aware of both personal and team needs.” Alonso is seeking a player to complement Caicedo’s strength and defensive acumen. At Bayer Leverkusen, he relied on Granit Xhaka to tie everything together effectively, which is why it was no surprise Alonso pursued the Sunderland midfielder this summer. “We had many discussions during my time at Leverkusen, and Granit was essential in that setup,” Alonso reflected. “He brought cohesion.” That’s exactly what Chelsea is in search of. Alonso hasn’t yet placed his trust in Valentín Barco, who joined from Strasbourg this summer. The midfield feels incomplete following the £125 million sale of Enzo Fernández to Manchester City. Attempts to sign Monaco’s Lamine Camara fell through on deadline day, and Bournemouth declined offers for Alex Scott, who has drawn interest from multiple clubs, including Chelsea. The midfield situation will be revisited in January. Chelsea, eyeing Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton, appear to have an edge over Liverpool in the pursuit of Scott. They must provide Alonso with more options in midfield, as Lavia’s resurgence alone isn’t sufficient. Ongoing injuries are hampering Alonso's plans, preventing the team from achieving the consistency they desperately need.