Six Chelsea players now look increasingly difficult for Xabi Alonso to leave out against Fulham after making their final pre-season statement in Saturday’s 3-1 victory over Real Sociedad.
Chelsea begin their Premier League campaign at Craven Cottage on Monday 24 August, with the club’s official fixture list confirming an 8pm BST kick-off.
Alonso now has a full week to settle on his side after an encouraging final friendly.
Morgan Rogers opened his Chelsea account before Joao Pedro struck twice, as covered in ReadChelsea’s 3-1 Real Sociedad match report.
Several positions remain open. Six players, however, appear to have moved themselves very close to Alonso’s Fulham XI.
The icing on the cake. 👌 pic.twitter.com/fBzRJ1QG07
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 15, 2026
Morgan Rogers gives Alonso little reason to wait
Rogers could scarcely have made a better first impression at Stamford Bridge.
The £117million signing needed only nine minutes to score, reacting quickest after Joao Pedro’s initial effort was saved.
It came just hours after Chelsea’s huge investment in the England international was questioned, something ReadChelsea examined after Rogers took nine minutes to answer his £117m critics.
Rogers provides power, direct running and another player capable of moving between wide and central areas. Starting him alongside Cole Palmer now looks like the obvious route for Alonso.
Joao Pedro makes himself impossible to ignore
Joao Pedro made an even bigger statement.
The Brazilian was involved in Rogers’ opener before scoring twice himself, earning a 9/10 in ReadChelsea’s Chelsea player ratings against Real Sociedad.
His movement for the first goal was excellent before he produced another composed finish after Malo Gusto split the Sociedad defence.
With Chelsea willing to consider offers for Liam Delap, Joao Pedro suddenly looks like the strongest candidate to lead Alonso’s attack at Fulham.
Rogers, Palmer and Joao Pedro could therefore form the attacking trio behind much of Chelsea’s threat.
Palmer and Caicedo remain Chelsea certainties
Cole Palmer did not score on Saturday, but his influence remained obvious.
He helped create Joao Pedro’s first goal and continues to look most dangerous when allowed to drift centrally and connect Chelsea’s midfield with the attack.
Moises Caicedo appears equally secure.
Alonso needs somebody capable of protecting Chelsea when players push forward while also progressing possession under pressure. Caicedo remains the outstanding candidate for that responsibility.
The bigger decision is who plays alongside him.
Enzo Fernandez returned against Sociedad following a turbulent transfer saga and received a divided response from the home support. ReadChelsea reported how Fernandez was booed by sections of Stamford Bridge after the £120m saga.
Romeo Lavia also impressed from the bench, leaving Alonso with a genuine midfield selection call before the opener.
Reece James strengthens his grip on starting place
Reece James also gave Alonso plenty to like.
Chelsea’s captain supplied the delivery for Joao Pedro’s first goal and looked sharp despite Saturday being his first pre-season appearance following his World Cup commitments.
James offers Alonso tactical flexibility, leadership and quality from wide areas.
His return also came on an important afternoon for Chelsea’s new manager, who spoke afterwards about the emotional reception he received at Stamford Bridge and the relationship he wants to build with supporters. ReadChelsea covered Alonso’s Stamford Bridge vow after his first home game.
James should have an important part to play in creating that identity on the pitch.
Robert Sanchez remains favourite for Fulham
Robert Sanchez completes the six.
Mike Penders received minutes against Sociedad, but Sanchez started Alonso’s final pre-season match and remains Chelsea’s most established option heading into the campaign.
More uncertainty surrounds the defenders in front of him.
Maxence Lacroix, Wesley Fofana and Levi Colwill all featured on Saturday, while Josh Acheampong entered from the bench.
Alonso therefore still has major decisions to make across his back line and in central midfield.
Further forward, the picture looks considerably clearer.
Sanchez, James, Caicedo, Palmer, Rogers and Joao Pedro now look like the six names Alonso will find hardest to remove when Chelsea walk out at Craven Cottage.
Morgan Rogers takes nine minutes to answer £117m Chelsea critics
Morgan Rogers takes nine minutes to answer £117m Chelsea critics
Five Chelsea stars who can force Alonso’s hand vs Real Sociedad
Five Chelsea stars who can force Alonso’s hand vs Real Sociedad