Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
The Premier League has announced who will officiate Chelsea’s first league game of the season against Fulham, with John Brooks tasked with being in charge.
Xabi Alonso has been preparing his side for a much stronger season than 2025/26 this time around, with them hoping that there will be no controversial refereeing decisions in their matches.
Chelsea would have gone top of the league back in September 13 if Fabio Carvalho’s goal had been disallowed in the 2-2 draw against Brentford, which Mark Clattenburg told us should have happened.
Pedro Neto of Chelsea
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Nicolas Jackson has history with referee of Chelsea vs Fulham
Brooks will be the referee for the West London derby, with Adam Nunn and Dan Cook the assistants. Darren England will be in charge of VAR, with Adrian Holmes his deputy.
The Englishman refereed one Blues game last season, with Chelsea winning 2-0 against Brentford in Liam Rosenior’s first league game.
Newcastle United FC v Chelsea FC - Premier League
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Prior to that, he was in charge of their 2-0 loss to Newcastle late in the 2024/25 season, where he sent off Nicolas Jackson in the first half.
The Senegal international’s season ended early as a result of the suspension, although it didn’t stop Chelsea securing a place in the top four.
This incident, combined with a sending off at the Club World Cup, seemed to be the final straw for Enzo Maresca, who preferred to move in a different direction when it came to his strikers.
Joao Pedro and Liam Delap came in, and while the former has thrived, Delap has struggled with the pressures that come with playing at Stamford Bridge.
Todd Boehly and Mark Walter graphic
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Jackson has second chance at Chelsea
This has seen an unprecedented second chance come Jackson’s way, with Alonso bringing himself back into the first team setup.
He is competing with Danny Welbeck for the role of back-up striker, however will be hungry to not let his prime years go to waste.
Jackson will not want to do anything to get on the wrong side of Brooks though, with another disciplinary issue not what the Blues need going into the new season.