Chelsea’s defeat against Everton already feels like a long time ago, as the loss was followed by a fortnight’s international break.
But we’ll be back in action this weekend, and Maurizio Sarri has big decisions to make.
One of the most consistent lineup battles all season has been Marcos Alonso against Emerson Palmieri. The Italian took almost 6 months to dislodge the Spaniard from Sarri’s preferred XI, and even then Alonso has been given multiple chances to win his place back.
One of those came against Everton, and surely the fact we lost 2-0 will convince Sarri to hand the baton back to Emerson.
When you consider the easier run of fixtures we have now, the added pace of the former Roma man, and the added dribbling ability he brings in the final third, should surely mean he’s given a run now.
We know how fond Sarri is of Alonso by now, but the timing surely works out nicely for Emerson to finish the season as holder of the “starting left back” badge. It’s only fair – and it’s the right call for the team.
