Chelsea Sarrismo part one: Do the keepers and defense get it?

Fullback’s role in Sarrismo

Sarri’s press is often more about pushing the ball into wide areas where the fullback is almost guaranteed the tackle. If the ball gets past that, the fullback is supposed to be the defender containing while someone from midfield or the wings comes in to get the ball.

Offensively, the fullback needs to stay wide as the winger tucks in. They provide the width but also become an escape route if the ball gets bogged down in midfield. Usually, this will give them a free lane to attack down the flank and cross the ball in.

Marcos Alonso

Does he understand?: Yes. Alonso gets a lot of flak from Chelsea fans, but he is always looking to move the ball on quickly and vertically. Quick and vertical is a hall mark of Sarrismo and if he is doing that, he is doing his job. Defensively, the players in front of him leave him exposed but he still gets the dirty work done.

Is he ideal?: Now that is another question. As just said, the players ahead of Alonso do often leave him high and dry. The high line does help to expose him a bit as well, but again, he should have others pressing in a way that allows him time to get back. Offensively, he moves the ball as quickly and vertically as needed. It would help if players tried to get into the box for his crosses though. Most of these issues are not because of Alonso himself, but if the rest of the team will not support him, can another player that requires less support do better?

What is the way forward?: If no teammate will get in the box for crosses the answer is to try less crossing. If Eden Hazard is ahead of him, he can get away with staying deeper in the line. Willian or Pedro ahead allows him to get forward more, but only if the winger/centermid covers for him. Alonso is much better than advertised and with some tweaks he can start to show it.

Emerson

Does he understand?: Mostly. Emerson (like Alonso) is very good at offering himself as the wide escape route. The problem is he often cuts in which does little more than choke up the midfield and keep the opponent tight. Emerson does get the simple things right but it is when he tries to be the hero that he often adds little.

Is he ideal?: Emerson is faster than Alonso and that is about the only advantage he has over him. Speed has not been enough under two Chelsea managers, one Italian National Team manager, or one Roma manager to start over slower, more defensively sound leftbacks. At some point when four managers come to the same conclusion, it starts to say something.

What is the way forward?: Emerson has quality, of that there is no doubt. But he is missing the edge in play to put himself into the lineup. If he can turn his flashes of brilliance into actions that actually affect the game, he has a chance. Otherwise he will remain on the bench behind Alonso until he departs the Blues.

Cesar  Azpilicueta

Does he understand?: Almost perfectly. Azpilicueta understands his zones and when to stick and when to twist. He is always an available passing option and knows when he can overlap down the flank and when he needs to stay in place. Sometimes there is some slight hesitance but that is the only thing really stopping it from being perfect.

Is he ideal?: Yes, yes, and yes. From rightback, to leftback, to centerback, and back to rightback, Azpilicueta has always offered consistency. He is more attacking now and that has caused a few hiccups, but overall he has got the job done.

What is the way forward?: Whereas Alonso crosses nearly every time, Azpilicueta holds off the cross a bit too often. Not really his role, but there are times where he can cross or shoot and he opts to pass it to someone else. A small problem but not a game changing one.

Davide Zappacosta

Does he understand?: Zappacosta thinks a lot. Watching him, it is easy to see him thinking about what he should be doing and what he has just done. He can get it in Sarrismo against the standard Europa League/Cup level opponent. But against the best? All that thinking will cost him.

Is he ideal?: Zappacosta is a consistently average player. He does not do anything other than play an average, acceptable match. As such, there is no advantage (or disadvantage) gained by playing him. He is just there. With solid rightbacks coming through the ranks (Reece James, Ola Aina, Dujon Sterling), there is little reason to keep Zappacosta around next season.

What is the way forward?: Much like Caballero the answer is to wait till he leaves. Zappacosta will not unseat Azpilicueta and he is not going to be trusted as the main man if Azpilicueta somehow decides to leave before next summer. One of the kids will probably replace him as he heads out to some other club.