Chelsea fans have been split by Thomas Tuchel’s decision to start the attack-minded Marcos Alonso in the FA Cup Final against Leicester City.
Some supporters questioned the decision to play the Spaniard from the get-go ahead of Ben Chilwell, who is meeting his former club, but it appears as though more fans are actually backing the selection.
Alonso has faced serious criticism in the past due to his attack-minded nature and lack of pace leaving him suspect on the defensive side of the ball, but the Spaniard really makes an impact going forward.
The left-back has looked much more reliable as of late and has always been capable of contributing goals and assists in big games for the Blues, as shown by his winner against Manchester City last weekend.
Your Chelsea side for this afternoon! 🔵#FACupFinal pic.twitter.com/8rDHli3QbF
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) May 15, 2021
Here is how some of the Chelsea faithful have reacted to Tuchel’s teamsheet:
Why the hell is Alonso starting over chilwell?
— Arfi Nadir (@arfi_nadir) May 15, 2021
chilwell benched ?😭😭😭
— ₃₀ (@havertzhivee) May 15, 2021
Yes the guy who scored the winner against Man City …
That guy is so underrated especially with a three in a back
— Dave (@dvdvarg) May 15, 2021
Mr. Wembley. have you forgotten
— Jumar (@NyumahStewart) May 15, 2021
th big games require the clutch players. I ain’t complaining
— Emmanuel Mustapha (@EmmanuelMustap6) May 15, 2021
Havertz?
— ²⁹ (@clinicalkai) May 15, 2021
So the guy in great form and scored last year in the final is on the bench?? Ziyech is 🗑
— Kyle Robinson (@kylerobin5on) May 15, 2021
Kepa and Jorginho… Just no. Kepa especially… Against Leicester’s clever forward line is a hell no. Just went from hopeful to dreading the next few hours. This goes badly and next league game will suffer too, especially after that farcical Arsenal game. Kepa… Really?!?!?
— Retro Game Geeks (@RetroGameGeeks) May 15, 2021
Jorgingo?? What does he need to do to get dropped. Shame on Tuchel
— vikas awasthi (@vikasawasthi) May 15, 2021
JUST WIN NO EXCUSES
— Raf (@CFC_Raf) May 15, 2021
Alonso may be a risky option when facing the pace, skill and trickery of Kelechi Iheanacho, Ayoze Perez and Jamie Vardy – but Tuchel has made the decision and fans should get behind it.
Considering the dry spells that the likes of Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech have endured this season, another goal threat in Alonso could be very handy and may ease the pressure on the summer signings.
Kepa have disappointed me again
Tuchel is the cause of this losing this is what i expected.mendy,silva,rudiger,james,kante,mount,benchilwell,odoi, pulisic,havertz,giroud with this there is no way chelsea can lose this game we needed attacking people not sluggish people especially alonso
Kepa is terrible.many of us noticed the same mistake from him. He always leave the line and it has been happening before. He always forgets himself and remain immobile. I’m sure if he’s the one in the post against Madrid the two goal bound Benzema shots saves by Mendy would have been goals. For lack of space I would have mentioned more than ten mistakes from this guy that caused Chelsea defeats in the past. Kepa should not remain in Chelsea for another minute.