Photo by Chris Lee - Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Photo by Chris Lee - Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Xabi Alonso’s starting XI for Chelsea’s upcoming Premier League campaign is starting to take shape.
The attack is pretty much sorted. New signing Morgan Rogers, Cole Palmer, Joao Pedro and possibly Estevao Willian could all start Chelsea’s first game of the season against Fulham.
Levi Colwill and Maxence Lacroix are also expected to be the first-choice centre-back pairing.
But what about the cup games? What could Chelsea’s starting XI look like in the Carabao Cup and FA Cup?
Mike Penders (GK)
Mike Penders is set to remain at Stamford Bridge this summer. He could challenge Robert Sanchez for the No.1 spot but is very likely to start the season as the cup keeper.
Marco Palestra (RB)
If Alonso continues using a 4-2-3-1 formation, Marco Palestra could start at right-back, providing cover for Reece James and Malo Gusto.
Wesley Fofana (CB)
With Lacroix arriving at the Bridge, Wesley Fofana has probably dropped down the pecking order.
Tosin Adarabioyo (CB)
Tosin Adarabioyo has his critics, but he is definitely not a bad centre-back option to have for cup games. His best performances for Chelsea have come in the FA Cup and Conference League.
Pep Chavarria (LB)
Chelsea have not officially signed Pep Chavarria yet, but they are thought to be close to finalising a deal for the Rayo Vallecano left-back, who is likely to provide cover for Jorrel Hato.
Romeo Lavia (CM)
When Romeo Lavia is fit, he is arguably one of the best midfielders in the Premier League. He is so press-resistant that other players cannot get anywhere near him. Unleashing that in a Carabao Cup tie is quite unfair!
Jordan Henderson (CM)
Jordan Henderson is the kind of signing who should help instil more of a winning mentality at Chelsea and help the club compete for domestic cups.
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Photo by Adrian Dennis / AFP via Getty Images
Geovany Quenda (RW)
Geovany Quenda is quite a versatile attacker, so it will be interesting to see how Alonso utilises him. However, right winger is his preferred position.
Estevao Willian (AM)
Because of the presence of Pedro Neto, there is no guarantee that Estevao will be Chelsea’s first-choice right winger in the new campaign.
It means the Brazilian could be rotated into the side for cup games, where he could possibly start as a No.10. It is a position that Estevao can also play in.
Chelsea's potential XI for cup games
Chelsea's potential XI for cup games
Jamie Gittens (LW)
The £117m purchase of Rogers has condemned Jamie Gittens to the bench. He will be a sub in the Premier League but a starter in the domestic cups.
Danny Welbeck (ST)
Pedro is one of the best strikers in England, so Danny Welbeck will not be starting too many league games. He should get chances in the cup, though. All in all, not a bad team to say the least!