Many Chelsea fans want to see Xabi Alonso switch to a back four after the team’s recent struggles.

Just before the international break, Chelsea were beaten 3-0 by Brentford, which followed their 2-2 draw with Hull City. In total, they have conceded 12 goals this season, more than any other team, so something has to change.

If it is not their formation, though, and Alonso persists with his 3-4-2-1 set-up, who should start in the right wing-back position? It is a role that Pedro Neto has been occupying, but Marco Palestra is closing in on a return from injury, giving Alonso another option. Here is a case for each of them!

The case for Pedro Neto

Neto is naturally a winger, but Alonso has been playing him as a wing-back. He has actually thrived there so far, which is not too much of a surprise given his attributes.

Neto has the characteristics to play as a wing-back. He is quick, works hard and can put a cross into the box.

According to WhoScored, Neto is completing 1.2 crosses per game in the Premier League this season, which is the highest average in Chelsea’s squad. He is also completing 1.4 dribbles per game — putting him in the top five at Chelsea — and making one key pass on average.

Neto has scored a goal as well, so you can see that he is bringing an attacking threat to this Chelsea side.

Chelsea needed this break BADLY… but with so many players racking up minutes for their countries, did it actually help them or could it have made things worse? 🤔

Let us know your reasoning! 👇

The case for Marco Palestra

Palestra is a much more natural option than Neto for the right wing-back position. Palestra has not played any competitive minutes for Chelsea this term because of his injury, but he is a wing-back by trade.

Palestra was Cagliari’s first-choice right wing-back last season and did not disappoint there. In total, he made 37 appearances in Serie A, scoring one goal and providing four assists.

With an average of 1.9, Palestra was completing more dribbles than Neto currently manages. However, the Italian averaged fewer crosses (0.7) and key passes (0.9) per game than his new teammate today.

Neto is an attacker, so the above is not too much of a surprise. But that has been an issue for Chelsea at times, the positioning of the wing-backs.

Neto has attacking instincts or urges that he feels he always has to act on and has been nowhere to be seen at times when Chelsea have had a turnover in possession. That is not to say that cannot happen to Palestra, but the Italy international is a natural defender and is more familiar with how to play the wing-back role, whereas Neto is still learning.

Chelsea’s other right wing-back options

Of course, Neto and Palestra are not the only players at Chelsea who can operate in the right-wing back role. Malo Gusto has also played there this season, while Reece James has done an excellent job in that position under Thomas Tuchel in the past.

Geovany Quenda has experience there as well, although the Portuguese youngster may have to leave Chelsea in January. Quenda needs a loan move after racking up just 27 minutes of action under Alonso.

All in all, it is a position where Alonso has numbers. But who should be his top pick there?

Final verdict

For the time being, Alonso should stick with Neto. Yes, in terms of positioning, the Portugal international can improve. But he is causing the opposition a lot of problems on the right flank.

Palestra also needs time to settle and adapt. It is a new league for him and he is just coming back from injury. In some games where Alonso wants more defensive balance, Palestra could be the way to go.

But at home against a Bournemouth side sitting in 17th place, Alonso should go for an offensive line-up. And if he opts to persist with his 3-4-2-1 system, then it should include Neto in the right wing-back role.