Xabi Alonso’s Premier League arrival at Craven Cottage delivered an entertaining 3-2 victory for Chelsea. Morgan Rogers opened his Chelsea account, while Cole Palmer also influenced the attack.
However, Maxence Lacroix Chelsea tactical analysis reveals another important detail from the match. The French defender showed how Alonso can use a centre-back as an attacking outlet in his 3-4-2-1 system.
Lacroix carried the ball into advanced areas and helped Chelsea progress through Fulham’s pressure. His involvement in Rogers’ goal also showed why his role could become important under Alonso.
So why was a centre-back regularly stepping forward? Lacroix’s performance against Fulham provided an early answer.
How Maxcence Lacroix influenced Chelsea’s build-up vs Fulham
Alonso’s Chelsea debut offered an early glimpse of his tactical ideas. Lacroix anchored the back three, with Levi Colwill to his left and Josh Acheampong on his right.
The French defender often stayed deeper during Chelsea’s initial build-up. That position gave the team a safe passing option while Colwill and Acheampong moved wider to create passing lanes.
When Fulham pushed forward, Lacroix waited for an opportunity to advance. He then stepped into space once the first wave of pressure created room.
His passing also helped Chelsea maintain control. Lacroix completed 44 of his 45 attempted passes, giving him a 97% passing accuracy.
More importantly, his forward movement forced Fulham to make difficult defensive decisions. Their forwards could no longer focus only on Chelsea’s midfielders. They also had to step out and close Lacroix.
That movement created additional space for Chelsea’s players higher up the pitch. It gave the Blues another route through Fulham’s defensive structure.
The approach also showed why Lacroix could become an important part of Alonso’s possession game.
Why Lacroix’s run created the Morgan Rogers goal
Lacroix’s attacking contribution became even clearer during Chelsea’s opening goal.
The move started when Palmer dropped into space and received the ball on the half-turn. He quickly spotted Lacroix moving forward and played the defender into an advanced position.
Lacroix carried the ball towards the Fulham penalty area. His run forced defenders to move towards him instead of concentrating on Rogers.
The centre-back then delivered a low cut-back into the danger area. Rogers had delayed his run and attacked the space behind the retreating defenders.
With no defender close enough to challenge him, Rogers calmly finished the move. The goal gave him an excellent start to his Chelsea career.
For Lacroix, the assist offered more than an individual highlight. It demonstrated how Alonso can use an advancing centre-back to create attacking opportunities.
The idea also resembles a tactic Alonso used at Bayer Leverkusen. His centre-backs often stepped forward to support possession and create overloads in midfield.
Rogers’ goal therefore provided an early example of how that principle could work at Chelsea.
Lacroix’s forward movement gives Chelsea an extra attacking player
Lacroix’s forward movement allows Chelsea’s 3-4-2-1 to become more aggressive in possession.
When he steps into midfield, Colwill and Acheampong can provide defensive cover. That structure allows Chelsea to maintain protection against counter-attacks while adding another player to the attack.
The movement also frees Chelsea’s midfielders to take up more advanced positions. Instead of dropping deep to collect the ball, they can focus on creating chances.
Alonso used a similar principle during his successful spell at Bayer Leverkusen. His defenders often moved forward to help overload central areas.
At Chelsea, Lacroix can perform a similar function. His positioning can temporarily turn the back three into a back two while he moves into midfield or the final third.
That change can give Chelsea numerical advantages against teams defending with a compact shape.
The tactic also creates more space for Palmer, Rogers and Joao Pedro. Each player can move into dangerous areas while Lacroix helps progress possession from behind.
Chelsea can therefore attack with more players without completely abandoning their defensive structure.
Lacroix’s tactical importance under Alonso
The tactical exhibition against Fulham offered an early indication of how Lacroix could shape Chelsea’s development under Alonso.
While his performance was eye-catching, his true value will materialise against the stubborn defensive low blocks that regularly frustrate the Premier League’s best sides.
In those tight games, a centre-back capable of stepping into midfield and playing sharp passes through the opposition lines could give Chelsea another way to unlock a packed defence.
As Alonso’s ideas are likely to become more familiar to the squad, Lacroix’s responsibilities are likely to grow with them.
The long-term challenge will be balancing Lacroix’s attacking freedom with his defensive responsibilities when Chelsea lose possession and opponents counter-attack.
If he can maintain that discipline while acting as an extra playmaker, he can transform Chelsea’s build-up play.
He may not always command the back-page headlines or match the numbers of Chelsea’s attacking stars, but his ability to influence the game from bacThe Maxence Lacroix Chelsea tactical analysis from the Fulham match provides an early indication of his potential importance under Alonso.
His performance was encouraging, but stronger tests will come against Premier League teams that defend in deep blocks. Those matches could require Chelsea to find different ways to create space.
A centre-back who can step into midfield and play accurate passes could give Alonso another solution.
Lacroix’s ability to carry the ball may also help Chelsea break through compact defensive lines. His forward movement can force opponents to change their shape and create gaps for the attacking players.
However, Chelsea must balance that attacking freedom with defensive discipline. Opponents will look to exploit the space behind Lacroix when they win possession.
If he can continue advancing without leaving the defence exposed, Lacroix could become a key part of Alonso’s tactical project.
He may not receive as much attention as Palmer, Rogers or Joao Pedro. Nevertheless, his ability to influence Chelsea’s build-up from defence could prove just as important.
The Fulham victory was only the beginning of Alonso’s Chelsea era. Lacroix’s performance suggests that his role could grow as the team becomes more familiar with the manager’s 3-4-2-1 system.k could make him an important player of Alonso’s project at Stamford Bridge.
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