Photo by Adrian Dennis / AFP via Getty Images
Photo by Adrian Dennis / AFP via Getty Images
Xabi Alonso will become the latest Chelsea manager to take on the challenge of a Premier League campaign, and will want to get off to the best possible start on the opening day.
The Blues make the short trip across West London to take on Fulham at Craven Cottage, a ground they were defeated at last season when Calum McFarlane was in charge.
Wesley Fofana will not be available for the Blues as a result of his suspension from the final day of last season, meaning Reece James could slot into the back three.
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Chelsea’s full opening day Premier League record
Traditionally, Chelsea have been very strong on the opening day, with only Manchester United winning more games than them on the first weekend of the season.
However, the Blues haven’t won any of their last three, drawing with Crystal Palace and Liverpool either side of a defeat to Manchester City.
Chelsea v Hull City - Premier League
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This meant that you have to Thomas Tuchel to find the last Chelsea manager to win on the opening day of the season, a worrying trend which Alonso will be looking to address.
Let’s take a look at Chelsea’s full record in opening day fixtures in the Premier League…
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Season Match Result Score
1992/93 Chelsea vs Oldham Athletic Draw 1–1
1993/94 Chelsea vs Blackburn Rovers Loss 1–2
1994/95 Chelsea vs Norwich City Win 2–0
1995/96 Chelsea vs Everton Draw 0–0
1996/97 Southampton vs Chelsea Draw 0–0
1997/98 Coventry City vs Chelsea Loss 2–3
1998/99 Coventry City vs Chelsea Loss 1–2
1999/00 Chelsea vs Sunderland Win 4–0
2000/01 Chelsea vs West Ham United Win 4–2
2001/02 Chelsea vs Newcastle United Draw 1–1
2002/03 Charlton Athletic vs Chelsea Win 2–3
2003/04 Liverpool vs Chelsea Win 1–2
2004/05 Chelsea vs Manchester United Win 1–0
2005/06 Wigan Athletic vs Chelsea Win 0–1
2006/07 Chelsea vs Manchester City Win 3–0
2007/08 Chelsea vs Birmingham City Win 3–2
2008/09 Chelsea vs Portsmouth Win 4–0
2009/10 Chelsea vs Hull City Win 2–1
2010/11 Chelsea vs West Bromwich Albion Win 6–0
2011/12 Stoke City vs Chelsea Draw 0–0
2012/13 Wigan Athletic vs Chelsea Win 0–2
2013/14 Chelsea vs Hull City Win 2–0
2014/15 Burnley vs Chelsea Win 1–3
2015/16 Chelsea vs Swansea City Draw 2–2
2016/17 Chelsea vs West Ham United Win 2–1
2017/18 Chelsea vs Burnley Loss 2–3
2018/19 Huddersfield Town vs Chelsea Win 0–3
2019/20 Manchester United vs Chelsea Loss 4–0
2020/21 Brighton & Hove Albion vs Chelsea Win 1–3
2021/22 Chelsea vs Crystal Palace Win 3–0
2022/23 Everton vs Chelsea Win 0–1
2023/24 Chelsea vs Liverpool Draw 1–1
2024/25 Chelsea vs Manchester City Loss 0–2
2025/26 Chelsea vs Crystal Palace Draw 0–0
Todd Boehly and Mark Walter graphic
Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images
Traditionally known for being strong starters, the Blues didn’t lose a game on the first weekend of the season between 1999 and 2017, when they lost to Burnley with nine men on the pitch.
There were plenty of key moments during their nine consecutive wins in the 2000s and early 2010s, including Didier Drogba’s audacious chip to secure a comeback victory against Hull City in 2009.
Hernan Crespo was on hand to score the only goal in the 93rd minute in 2005 against Wigan Athletic, getting the defending champions off to the best possible start.
A number of younger players at the club will look back to 2021 when Trevoh Chalobah made his name known to the Stamford Bridge faithful with a stunning strike, setting him up for a successful Blues career.
It will be the first time the West London derby has taken place on the opening weekend though, and offers Alonso the perfect start to make an instant statement to Chelsea fans.