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Chelsea supporters are keenly anticipating preseason to get their first look at the tactical approach they can expect under new head coach Xabi Alonso.
Alonso deployed a 3-4-2-1 to great effect at Bayer Leverkusen but tended to switch to a 4-2-3-1 during his troubled stint with Real Madrid. Chelsea's roster was constructed for the latter under previous manager Enzo Maresca, though it remains unclear whether Alonso will return to his three-defender system at Stamford Bridge.
Much could be gleaned from Chelsea's transfer activity this summer. Agreements have already been reached to bring in Strasbourg forward Emmanuel Emegha and midfielder Valentín Barco—only Emegha's transfer has been officially announced so far—but the Blues now appear on the verge of securing yet another addition.
As first reported by Gianluca Di Marzio, Chelsea have successfully swooped in on Inter's pursuit of Atalanta right back Marco Palestra, surpassing the Italian club in both transfer fee and wages, with Alonso reportedly making personal contact with the 21-year-old to persuade him to make the move.
The final details are being ironed out on a deal expected to cost Chelsea an initial €57 million ($64.9 million, £49.2 million), with an additional €3 million ($3.4 million, £2.6 million) in potential add-ons.
How Does Palestra Fit in at Chelsea?
Palestra had a breakthrough campaign in the 2025–26 Serie A season on loan at Cagliari, where his impressive displays across 37 outings earned him the award for the league's finest defender.
The overwhelming majority of Palestra's playing time came as a right wing back, contributing one goal and four assists while also holding his own defensively. At first glance, it appears highly probable that the 21-year-old will be handed a similar role at Chelsea, suggesting a return to a 3-4-2-1 system.
Chelsea are already well-equipped at right back, where Reece James and Malo Gusto have shared responsibilities in recent campaigns, but a formation change could significantly alter the picture. Questions linger over James's physical ability to handle such a demanding position following years of injury setbacks, while Gusto is already weighing up his future at Stamford Bridge.
There appears to be an opening for Palestra as a right wing back, with James perhaps better suited to a wide center back role.
Crucially, though, Palestra is equally adept on the right as he is on the left, where Chelsea have a clear vacancy following Marc Cucurella's exit to Real Madrid.
"If I have a choice, I obviously prefer the right, but I'm equally comfortable on the left and have no problems," Palestra told DAZN earlier this summer. "Playing with both right and left foot is a matter of practice; the more I felt left-footed, the better I got.
"There are things where I think I can do better with my left foot, and then shoot with my right. But it's something that comes naturally to me, going after a man with my left."
Whether Palestra is viewed as the direct successor to Cucurella will only become apparent in the months ahead, but regardless of which flank he operates on, it seems highly probable that he is arriving at Chelsea as a wing back rather than a conventional full back.
Of his 37 appearances for Cagliari, 33 came as a wing back—31 on the right and two on the left. He was used as a traditional right back on just three occasions and logged a total of 79 minutes as a left back.
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A switch to a 3-4-2-1 could have far-reaching consequences for the rest of the squad. An additional center back is likely to be required if Chelsea can move on some of their peripheral defenders, while Alonso's midfield partnership will need attention should Enzo Fernández secure the Real Madrid transfer he is seeking.
Alonso is understood to have been granted considerable influence over Chelsea's transfer dealings this summer. While the club's recruitment team will still hold the final say, the new manager clearly has the ability to steer them in the right direction.