Chelsea defender Marco Palestra has been told he must improve certain aspects of his game to succeed in the Premier League after former Blues player Jason Cundy highlighted weaknesses in his early performances under manager Xabi Alonso.

According to The Athletic on Friday, November 6, 2026, Cundy believes the £47 million summer signing needs to develop his defensive positioning and become better equipped to handle the physical demands of English football.

Palestra arrived at Stamford Bridge from Atalanta after an impressive loan spell with Cagliari, where his performances earned him the Serie A Best Defender award. He was also recognised as the fastest player in the Italian top flight, demonstrating the pace and athleticism that attracted Chelsea’s interest.

However, the 21-year-old’s introduction to English football has been interrupted by fitness problems. A hamstring injury kept him out of Chelsea’s first five Premier League matches, delaying his opportunity to establish himself in Alonso’s team.

He eventually made his first league start in the 2-0 victory over Manchester United, offering glimpses of the attacking ability that had made him an attractive signing. Nevertheless, Cundy believes the defender still has important areas to address before he can become a dependable option in the Premier League.

Speaking on talkSPORT’s Inside Football podcast, the former Chelsea defender questioned Palestra’s ability to cope with the speed and physical intensity of matches in England. He also expressed concerns about the youngster’s positional awareness, suggesting that his defensive decision-making needs improvement.

Cundy’s assessment raises questions about whether Chelsea are using the Italian in the role that best suits his natural qualities. Palestra is more accustomed to operating as a wing-back, where he can use his pace and attacking instincts while supporting the forward line.

At Chelsea, however, he may be required to perform the responsibilities of a conventional full-back, depending on Alonso’s tactical arrangements. Cundy believes the difference could make it difficult for the youngster to reproduce the performances that earned him recognition in Italy.

The former defender also suggested that Alonso could consider adjusting his selection for Chelsea’s next Premier League fixture against Sunderland. Pep Chavarría is among the alternatives who could return to the starting lineup after replacing Palestra during the closing stages of the Manchester United match.

Chavarría is viewed as a more dependable defensive option, potentially offering greater security at the back against Sunderland. His possible inclusion would give Alonso another way to balance Chelsea’s attacking ambitions with the need to remain organised defensively.

Despite raising concerns about Palestra’s adaptation, Cundy acknowledged that the young Italian possesses qualities that could help him become successful in English football. His athleticism and technical ability provide a foundation for further development, although he will need time and experience to adjust to the league.

For Alonso, the priority will be finding the most effective role for the £47 million signing while helping him improve the weaker aspects of his game. Chelsea will hope Palestra can eventually justify the investment and become an important member of their defensive options.