Xabi Alonso faces a host of massive decisions ahead of his Premier League managerial debut for Chelsea against Fulham at Craven Cottage this evening
Morgan Rogers celebrates
Morgan Rogers celebrates scoring for Chelsea against Real Sociedad(Image: Chelsea FC)
View 4 Images
Xabi Alonso showed in pre-season that he was not married to one system of playing, or more specifically, one formation. The new Chelsea manager will have already decided how he will set his side up for this evening's Premier League opener against Fulham.
Nine days ago, in the Blues' final pre-season friendly, his team impressed in a 3-4-2-1/3-4-3 setup and a lot of supporters are hoping to see similar tonight at Craven Cottage. However, Alonso used a more conventional 4-2-3-1 formation for the majority of his first pre-season as Chelsea manager.
So it really is anyone's guess. Bobby Vincent has done his best at trying to predict how the 44-year-old Spaniard will line his team up in his first-ever Premier League match as manager.
FOLLOW OUR CHELSEA FB PAGE! Latest Blues news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page
Robert Sanchez
When asked by football.london on Thursday afternoon who would be his No.1 goalkeeper for the upcoming season, Alonso refused to clarify. He said: "We want healthy competition in all the positions. Rob [Sanchez] has played a lot. Great experience, great impact.
"We have brought in Mike [Penders] from Strasbourg who has a good level as well. We will see. After, it is the pitch. The pitch is the boss of everything. I don’t decide. The players need to show me."
While Penders will provide competition for Sanchez this season, the latter is expected to get the nod ahead of the former at Craven Cottage.
Josh Acheampong
Alonso might be tempted to stick with a three-back shape this evening. If that is the case, Acheampong could be used on the right-hand side of the defensive trio. Wesley Fofana is suspended following his red card on the last day of the 2025/26 season at Sunderland.
Maxence Lacroix
Lacroix could make his official debut for Chelsea this evening. There are high hopes for the France international, who arrived from Crystal Palace for £52million earlier this summer, in the middle of the Blues defence.
Maxence Lacroix
Chelsea's new centre-back Maxence Lacroix(Image: Chris Lee - Chelsea FC)
View 4 Images
Levi Colwill
In a way, Colwill feels like a new signing. The English defender missed the majority of last season due to a serious anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury but returned with a few games of the campaign remaining. In those few games, Colwill showed exactly what Chelsea had missed all season.
Pedro Neto
Neto really impressed as a right wing-back against Real Sociedad. The unorthodox role seems to sort the Portuguese's skillset. Neto has been linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge but Chelsea sources insist the club are not actively trying to sell the wide man, despite putting an almost-£100m price tag on his head.
Reece James
James could be set for a start in midfield. All the talk going into tonight's game is around Enzo Fernandez, his future and whether he will play at Craven Cottage. Fernandez could well start this one from the bench in place of the Chelsea captain.
Reece James
Chelsea and England defender Reece James(Image: Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto)
View 4 Images
Moises Caicedo
No doubt about this one. Caicedo has been sensational since signing for Chelsea, yet there's a feeling Alonso can take his game to a whole new level. Scary thought.
Marco Palestra
The versatile Italian defender impressed enormously during his first pre-season with the club. Palestra was used as a left wing-back last weekend and given it worked so well, Alonso could be tempted to use the energetic 21-year-old in a similar role again.
Cole Palmer
Alonso tipped Palmer, who he also described as "world class", to have a great season this time around after an underwhelming campaign last time around. The 24-year-old could start on the right-hand side of a front three in Fulham this evening, with his best mate on the other flank.
Chelsea star Cole Palmer
Cole Palmer is fit and raring to go ahead of the new season(Image: Ryan Pierse)
View 4 Images
Morgan Rogers
Palmer's best mate and Chelsea's record signing. Rogers is set for his official Chelsea debut tonight. The England international was showcased to the Stamford Bridge faithful against Real Sociedad nine days ago and capped the occasion with a goal. How he would love to officially open his account tonight.
Joao Pedro
Fresh after signing a new-and-improved contract and being given the No.9 shirt at Stamford Bridge, what a few days it has been for Joao Pedro. He is now Chelsea's talisman and he will be hoping to score the first of many Premier League goals for the new season against Fulham this evening. You wouldn't bet against him doing that, either.
Predicted Chelsea XI (3-4-2-1): Sanchez; Acheampong, Lacroix, Colwill; Neto, James, Caicedo, Palestra; Palmer, Rogers; Joao Pedro
Content Image
Content Image