Xabi Alonso simply cannot snub Chelsea star vs Bournemouth, he finally has some confidence

Xabi Alonso has a few decisions to make when picking his starting line-up on Saturday, as Chelsea play host to Bournemouth. Whether that be formation, his three-man defence or his double pivot.

Having picked up one point from their last three Premier League games, Alonso needs his side to get back to winning ways. But Bournemouth are no pushovers, even if Alex Scott will be missing on Saturday.

No clean sheet in 21 Premier League games, and 12 goals conceded in Chelsea’s first five league games, has got to convince Alonso to take action when picking his defence, as well as his central midfielders, too.

Lavia has endured a difficult three years at Chelsea, but finally, he is starting to show glimpses that prove why Chelsea spent £58m on him. His performances for Belgium during the break proved that further.

Cole Palmer once described him as one of the best in the world, and in a Belgium shirt, he showed that. A gorgeous assist in Belgium’s 4-1 loss to France that even caught the eye of Zinedine Zidane this week.

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For any midfielder, getting praise from Zidane will instantly spike your confidence. Lavia is match-sharp, fitter than he’s ever been since his move to Chelsea, and ready to go if Alonso picks him on Saturday.

He’s even been touted as a future Ballon d’Or winner by a former Anderlecht boss since his performance in Paris. Alonso would be foolish not to start him when his confidence is higher than it’s ever been.

Last time out, Jordan Henderson and Valentin Barco were both given starts by Alonso at Brentford. Whether it was their first Chelsea starts, or playing alongside each other, it really didn’t work.

It was a learning curve for Alonso. He made too many changes – even if enforced – at once. Barco and Henderson remain options, while Moises Caicedo is back in the frame, but might start off the bench.

Reece James is also expected to be fit. Xabi Alonso’s preferred double pivot is Caicedo and James, but Saturday might come too soon to start both. Surely, Lavia returns to the starting line-up on Saturday.