Can Chelsea win the Premier League with three at the back? Shay Given's verdict

Chelsea secured a hard-fought 4-3 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion and reignited the debate about whether Xabi Alonso's team can seriously compete for the Premier League title. Former goalkeeper and analyst Shay Given sees a clear plan behind the London side's structure, with a three-man defence and wing-backs playing a crucial attacking role.

• Shay Given believes Chelsea can win the Premier League using their three-centre-back setup.
• The wing-backs played a major part in the 4-3 win over Brighton at Stamford Bridge.
• Xabi Alonso is building a recognisable identity from the very first day of the season.
• The result against Brighton strengthens belief in the Spanish coach's project at Chelsea.

Shay Given on Chelsea's three-at-the-back system

The back three is not a minor experiment for Xabi Alonso's Chelsea: it is the foundation of the entire team. Given was particularly impressed by the wing-backs, who operate as a constant threat out wide and give the side attacking depth. That width creates problems for organised defences and increases Chelsea's options in the final third without sacrificing balance.

Speaking after the Brighton match, the former goalkeeper highlighted how a team with this shape can control many phases of play when the movements are well coordinated. The back three covers the gaps left by the wing-backs, while the midfield manages the defensive transition.

What Chelsea are playing for in this Premier League season

Talking about the title in the early weeks of the season is always risky, but Alonso's approach is aimed directly at the top of the table. Chelsea want to be genuine contenders again, not just an entertaining side on the edge of the race. A demanding win like the one against Brighton tests the group's mentality and the reliability of the plan against intense opponents.

The Premier League fixture list offers little room to breathe, and every match becomes a test for a young project. If the team keeps its defensive discipline and continues to exploit the flanks with such purpose, the title challenge will quickly move from early optimism to a story built on results.

Xabi Alonso's identity: a recognisable Chelsea

One of the most praised aspects of Chelsea's start is the identity the team shows. Winning is not based on momentum or individual brilliance alone: there is a repeated pattern of play, with clean build-up from the back, midfield control and wing-backs who become wide forwards when the team attacks.

Xabi Alonso has pointed out that Chelsea had a good first day and that the early feelings are positive. That clarity of message is reflected on the pitch, where the automatisms are already visible despite how early it is in the campaign. Patience on the ball and smart reading of space suggest Chelsea have found a stable footballing direction at last.

Turning points in Chelsea's 4-3 win over Brighton

Chelsea's wing-backs flew down the flanks and were a key factor in the 4-3 victory.

The scoreline reflects a match full of momentum swings, the kind that tests both attack and defence. Brighton never gave up and turned the game into an exchange of blows that forced Chelsea to show composure in the closing minutes. For a team chasing the title, knowing how to close out this type of night matters as much as attacking volume.

Can Chelsea sustain this approach for the whole season?

The debate over Chelsea's back three will follow the team all season. The question is not only whether they can win matches with this shape, but whether they can maintain it against the league's best attacks without wearing down. The depth of the squad and the number of players able to operate in wide areas give Alonso options to adjust the plan when the game demands it.

Shay Given's confidence is not a guarantee, but it is a sign that the project is convincing outside observers. If Chelsea come through their next direct rivals with strong results, the conversation will move from opinion to reality: this is a team built to win the title.