Former Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole thinks Xabi Alonso made a bold statement to the club's hierarchy during their disappointing 3-0 defeat at Brentford. The spotlight shone on the late introduction of promising 16-year-old Mahdi Nicol-Djazuli as a significant move.
Chelsea is currently grappling with serious injuries in midfield, with Moises Caicedo yet to start this season due to fitness concerns, and Reece James missing the clash against Brentford.
Alonso fielded Jordan Henderson and Valentin Barco from the outset but chose to keep Romeo Lavia on the bench. When trailing 0-2, the manager opted to throw on Nicol-Djazuli, a decision that raised eyebrows.
Former striker Glenn Murray perceived this as a clear message to the higher-ups at Chelsea.
Murray remarked:
I believe when Xabi Alonso brings on 16-year-old Mahdi Nicol-Djazuli when you're 0-2 down, it's a stark signal to the board: you haven't provided enough midfield options since the departures of Santos and Fernandez.
This is a real problem. Several times they've had to use full-backs in midfield. Yesterday, they started with two proper midfielders, but introducing a 16-year-old is a serious signal.
This summer, Chelsea sold Andrey Santos to Manchester United and Enzo Fernandez to Manchester City. Although they had agreed to sign Lamine Kamara from Monaco after Fernandez’s exit, the deal fell apart at the last moment.
Cole, echoing Murray's sentiments, believes Alonso's actions were telling.
The former winger commented:
Glenn is spot on. Xabi Alonso is sending a message to the hierarchy: we are lacking players. When we're trying to salvage a match away from home, I'm forced to throw in a 16-year-old lad in midfield.
It was glaringly obvious to me. And judging by the way he left the pitch after the game, I reckon he’s furious about this situation.
In his first five Premier League matches, Alonso has employed three different midfield combinations. At times, he even had to deploy a nominal right-back, Malo Gusto, in midfield.
