Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images
Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images
The Chelsea Chronicle have spoken to Fulham expert, Charles Jones, to preview Chelsea’s Premier League opening fixture at Craven Cottage.
Xabi Alonso will be looking to put right the recent record of Chelsea not winning on the opening day of the season in their last three attempts with the West London derby.
The Blues will be without Wesley Fofana for the game following his suspension at the end of last season, and are facing a side they were defeated by last season.
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The Chelsea Chronicle spoke to Fulham expert, Charles Jones, and he predicted things are going to be tough for Chelsea’s rivals this season, as well as in their opening game.
What has Fulham’s pre-season been like?
Charles: “Unimpressive in more ways than one. A lot of the games have been behind-closed-doors so we’ve not actually been able to see a lot of it, but what we have seen hasn’t been amazing.
“The final game against Stuttgart was the best performance by a distance, but still doesn’t look like a team that has clicked.”
What are your thoughts on Alvaro Arbeloa as manager?
Charles: “I’m not a fan of this appointment at all. It’s a massive leap into the unknown with a manager who hasn’t proven anything at any sort of level. He had a bad six month spell at Real Madrid and was their B team manager before that – and even then he had the B team in sort of mid-table in the Spanish third tier.
“The bulk of his experience is at the third-tier – could you imagine any other Premier League club hiring a manager from League One? Feels like we’ve been completely blinded by the fact he managed Real Madrid.”
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Has Harry Wilson been suitably replaced?
Charles: “Harry Wilson hasn’t been replaced. We signed Oscar Bobb in January and he will probably start on the right wing, but he’s not at the level in terms of end product. Samu Chukwueze also left the club at the end of his loan spell so we’re down two right wingers without signing anyone new.”
How confident are you for the 2026/27 season?
Charles: “As you can probably tell from my two above answers, not confident at all. We’re very lucky the three promoted sides are so poor (at least on paper), otherwise I’d make us one of the favourites for relegation.”
What will the score be between Fulham and Chelsea?
Charles: “3-0 Chelsea. Can see this being a seriously rude awakening for Arbeloa.”
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Alonso would be the first manager since Thomas Tuchel to win on the opening day of the season, with him picking up a 1-0 victory over Everton in 2022.
A strong first couple of games will be essential for the Blues, given the fact they make the trip to the Emirates to face defending champions, Arsenal.