What tactics might new manager Alonso use at Chelsea?

What tactics might new manager Alonso use at Chelsea?Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Chelsea will be Xabi Alonso's third senior managerial role after Bayer Leverkusen and Real MadridByUmir IrfanFootball tactics correspondentPublished6 minutes ago1 CommentsThings have been rocky since BlueCo took over Chelsea in 2022, but former Bayer Leverkusen and Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso has been entrusted to get the London club competing at the highest level again.Liam Rosenior failed to live up to the potential Chelsea thought he had, with many believing his relative inexperience played a part. Alonso, 44, is only three years older but boasts an impressive body of work - taking over a Leverkusen side second from bottom before turning them into unbeaten Bundesliga champions the following season.His spell at Real Madrid ended after fallouts with several star players but the Spaniard will have learned valuable lessons from the challenges of such a high-profile environment. At the time of his dismissal his win percentage of 71.4% was the highest of any Madrid manager in the past decade.With this in mind, BBC Sport takes a closer look at the rationale behind hiring Alonso and the managerial approach he will likely bring to Stamford Bridge.Adapting to the players in the squadIncreasingly, for many coaches, systems are less rooted in one specific formation. Rather, modern coaches have a set of principles and beliefs they aim to drill into their squad.Alonso is one of these coaches. While at Real Sociedad's B team, he would often start in a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 shape. In his last season with Sociedad B, he had moved to 3-4-3, a formation he would become known for, using it to much success at Leverkusen.For Alonso, these decisions are informed by players - both his own and those of the opponents.At times, he has opted for a back five in order to match an opposition back-five system, as seen in Madrid's 1-0 win against Juventus in the Club World Cup.At Leverkuse...