Chelsea’s New Set-Piece Weapon Under Xabi Alonso Is Already Causing Problems for Opponents

Chelsea could be developing a dangerous new weapon under Xabi Alonso, with set-piece coach Austin MacPhee already making his influence felt at Stamford Bridge.

MacPhee arrived from Aston Villa with a reputation for working on set-piece routines, and the early signs suggest that Chelsea could benefit significantly from his ideas. The Blues appear to be putting more thought into their dead-ball situations, turning them into opportunities to create real problems for opposing defences.

Chelsea’s recent matches have offered encouraging signs. After producing a clever routine against Bournemouth, the Blues came close to finding the net from another set piece against Everton, with Moisés Caicedo striking the woodwork.

Although the effort did not result in a goal, it highlighted the kind of threat Chelsea could pose when their routines are executed properly.

Rather than simply delivering the ball into the penalty area and hoping for the best, Chelsea appear to be working on more intelligent movements designed to create space, confuse defenders and give their players better opportunities to score.

That is where MacPhee’s experience could prove valuable. In modern football, set pieces can make the difference between winning and dropping points, particularly in tightly contested Premier League matches.

Chelsea also have players whose technical ability could help them take full advantage of these situations. Jordan Henderson’s technical quality, for instance, could add another dimension to the team’s delivery and execution if he becomes part of the setup.

For Alonso, having a reliable set-piece threat would provide another attacking option beyond open play. It would also give Chelsea an advantage in matches where opponents defend deep and make it difficult to create clear chances.

There is still work to be done before Chelsea can be considered one of the Premier League’s most dangerous teams from set pieces. However, the early indications are encouraging, and MacPhee’s ideas could become an important part of the club’s attacking approach.

If Chelsea continue to improve their routines and start converting these opportunities into goals, their dead-ball situations could become a major headache for opposition managers.

The big question now is whether Alonso’s side can turn these promising signs into consistent results throughout the season.