Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea tactics delivered three goals and an opening Premier League victory at Fulham, but the 3-2 scoreline also exposed several decisions that will shape the weeks ahead.
Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and João Pedro provided the attacking quality that secured three points at Craven Cottage.
Behind them, however, Alonso’s first competitive line-up offered a revealing look at his preferred defensive structure, midfield options and the problems he must solve before Chelsea face Luton Town and Brighton.
Another example of Xabi Alonso's team rotations. Palmer brings it forward in the RHS, Gusto wide; they rotate Palmer wide and Gusto inverted. Palmer is in a position for a 1v1 take-on, doesn't receive it in a way to go 1v1 and passes back; Acheampong makes an inside dart to the…
— Oluwaseun 🇳🇬 (@MobyChe) August 25, 2026
Xabi Alonso Chelsea tactics start with a flexible back three
Alonso selected Josh Acheampong, Maxence Lacroix and Levi Colwill across his defence, with Malo Gusto and Jorrel Hato operating as wing-backs.
The confirmed Chelsea team against Fulham showed a 3-4-2-1 formation built around providing freedom for Palmer and Rogers behind João Pedro.
Yet the back three was not designed simply to provide extra defensive protection.
Lacroix stepped aggressively into attacking areas, winning the header that started Chelsea’s opening goal before creating Rogers’ first-half strike.
For the second goal, the Frenchman advanced beyond Fulham’s defensive line, beat Jorge Cuenca and delivered from the byline.
Chelsea’s official match report outlined his involvement in both moments.
That movement created an additional attacking option without requiring Palmer or Rogers to remain wide.
However, it also placed greater responsibility on Acheampong, Colwill and the midfielders to protect the spaces Lacroix left behind.
Fulham repeatedly threatened when Chelsea’s defensive shape became stretched. Alonso must decide how often he wants a central defender joining attacks and how consistently the remaining players can provide cover.
Reece James in midfield creates a major Chelsea decision
Reece James started alongside Roméo Lavia rather than playing in defence or at right wing-back.
That decision partly reflected Moisés Caicedo’s absence, with Chelsea confirming that Caicedo and Marco Palestra missed the match because of minor setbacks.
James brought composure and physical authority, while Lavia helped progress possession through midfield.
Nevertheless, Chelsea did not consistently control the centre of the pitch.
Fulham finished with 62 per cent possession, according to FotMob’s match statistics, and found opportunities to attack behind Chelsea’s first line of pressure.
Enzo Fernández replaced Lavia after 65 minutes, giving Alonso another technically gifted midfielder capable of slowing the tempo and retaining possession.
The longer-term question is whether James remains a regular midfield option once Caicedo returns, or whether Alonso eventually moves his captain back into defence.
That decision will influence several other positions, including Acheampong’s opportunities and the balance between Chelsea’s wing-backs.
Palmer, Rogers and João Pedro already look difficult to separate
Chelsea’s most convincing tactical decision was selecting Palmer and Rogers together behind João Pedro.
Alonso explained his plan for the Palmer-Rogers partnership before the match, but the understanding between all three forwards was immediately apparent.
Palmer assisted João Pedro’s opener after only 31 seconds.
Rogers then restored Chelsea’s lead before João Pedro returned the favour by setting up Palmer for the third goal.
The front three consistently exchanged positions rather than remaining fixed within the formation.
Rogers could drive forward from deeper areas, Palmer drifted into pockets of space and João Pedro offered both movement behind Fulham’s defence and the ability to connect play.
Chelsea recorded 18 shots and 38 touches inside Fulham’s penalty area despite having less of the ball.
Those numbers suggest Alonso is prepared to sacrifice possession if Chelsea can reach their most dangerous players quickly.
The club recently secured João Pedro on a contract until 2034, underlining how central the Brazilian is to the longer-term project.
The immediate challenge is maintaining that attacking fluency while ensuring the midfield is not left exposed behind it.
Chelsea’s wing-back balance could change when Marco Palestra returns
Gusto and Hato provided Chelsea’s width against Fulham, allowing Palmer and Rogers to operate closer to João Pedro.
That arrangement helped create dangerous central combinations, but it also exposed the demands placed on both wing-backs.
They needed to support attacks, recover quickly and prevent Fulham from creating overloads down the flanks.
Palestra’s absence limited Alonso’s options on the right, where the summer signing could offer a different profile once fit.
Alonso has already explained why Palestra gives Chelsea something different, particularly through his versatility and ability to affect matches from several positions.
On the left, Hato was replaced by Pep Chavarría after 65 minutes, suggesting Alonso is still assessing his preferred balance in that area.
Pedro Neto later replaced Gusto, demonstrating that the manager is prepared to use an established winger in a wider role when Chelsea need fresh attacking energy.
The question is whether Alonso prefers traditional defenders at wing-back, more adventurous wide players or different combinations depending on the opposition.
Brighton’s pace and ability to progress through wide areas should provide a clearer indication of which approach he trusts against stronger attacking opponents.
Robert Sánchez gives Chelsea an immediate goalkeeper problem
Chelsea’s attacking performance should not disguise the uncertainty created by Robert Sánchez.
The goalkeeper was beaten at his near post by Josh King before spilling Timothy Castagne’s effort into Gonzalo García’s path for Fulham’s second goal.
ReadChelsea’s player ratings gave Sánchez 4/10 after both mistakes allowed the hosts back into a match Chelsea otherwise controlled in decisive attacking moments.
Alonso did not publicly criticise his goalkeeper.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, he stressed that the assessment should not focus entirely on individual players.
That is understandable after the opening match, particularly because Sánchez also produced a late save to deny Ryan Sessegnon.
However, Alonso’s system depends on confidence throughout the defensive structure.
If Chelsea’s back three step forward and the wing-backs push high, the goalkeeper must handle transitions and prevent avoidable moments from undermining the wider tactical plan.
Mike Penders was on the bench at Craven Cottage, giving Alonso another option if he decides changes are necessary.
Thursday’s Carabao Cup tie could offer an opportunity to assess his alternatives without immediately committing to a permanent Premier League change.
Luton and Brighton will shape Alonso’s next Chelsea decisions
Chelsea return to Stamford Bridge against Luton on Thursday at 7.30pm before hosting Brighton on Sunday at 2pm.
The club’s official weekly schedule confirms both fixtures, giving Alonso two different opportunities to examine his squad.
Luton may offer minutes for Penders, Chavarría, Valentín Barco, Geovany Quenda, Estêvão, Jamie Gittens or Danny Welbeck.
Brighton should provide a stronger indication of how Alonso intends to approach Premier League matches against ambitious opposition. The Seagulls arrive after beginning their own campaign with a 4-0 victory over Aston Villa.
Alonso acknowledged after Fulham that Chelsea ‘didn’t choose the right moments to press’, telling the club’s official website that managing difficult spells remains a priority.
The opening victory showed Chelsea already possess enough attacking quality to hurt opponents.
The next stage is establishing the midfield balance, defensive protection and reliability required to make Alonso’s system work consistently.
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