Emiliano Martinez has been handed an immediate Chelsea debut against Brighton just hours after completing his £7.5million move from Aston Villa.
Xabi Alonso has made a huge call for his first Premier League match at Stamford Bridge, throwing the Argentina international straight into his starting XI.
Martinez completed his Chelsea transfer on Sunday morning and now immediately replaces Robert Sanchez in goal.
There are further surprises, with Moises Caicedo and captain Reece James both starting on the bench, while Enzo Fernandez is again absent amid Manchester City’s interest.
The confirmed Chelsea XI is:
Martinez; Fofana, Lacroix, Colwill; Gusto, Lavia, Hato, Neto; Palmer, Rogers; Joao Pedro.
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Emi Martinez makes immediate Chelsea debut
There was uncertainty over whether Martinez would even be available after his transfer was officially announced on Sunday morning.
Alonso has removed any doubt emphatically.
The World Cup winner goes directly into goal despite having barely had time to work with his new Chelsea team-mates.
Chelsea completed the goalkeeper’s move from Villa for around £7.5m, with Martinez signing a three-year contract.
His selection also appears to underline the dramatic change in Robert Sanchez’s position.
ReadChelsea has already covered how Chelsea completed the £7.5m Emi Martinez signing as Alonso reshaped his goalkeeping options.
The Guardian also confirms Martinez has been selected immediately for the Brighton game.
Caicedo only fit enough for Chelsea bench
The other major surprise concerns midfield.
Caicedo had been pushing to return after missing Chelsea’s opening two competitive matches through injury, but Alonso has resisted putting the Ecuador international straight back into the XI.
He is instead among the substitutes.
James is also on the bench despite starting both the Fulham and Luton victories.
That leaves Romeo Lavia as the recognised central midfielder, with Hato and Gusto giving Alonso several possibilities when Chelsea have possession.
Pedro Neto is also recalled and could operate as an aggressive wing-back in Alonso’s system.
It is a bold selection for a manager who challenged Chelsea to start delivering consistently ahead of the Brighton game.
Palmer and Rogers continue behind Joao Pedro
There is considerably more familiarity in attack.
Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers retain their places behind Joao Pedro after impressing during Chelsea’s 3-2 opening-day victory at Fulham.
Joao Pedro once again leads the line against his former club.
Wesley Fofana also makes his first competitive appearance of the season after completing the suspension carried over from last term.
Alonso has therefore made significant changes without disrupting the attacking partnership which has been central to Chelsea’s encouraging start.
But all eyes before kick-off will be on Martinez.
Only hours after becoming a Chelsea player, he is already their starting goalkeeper.
Chelsea XI
Martinez; Fofana, Lacroix, Colwill (c); Gusto, Lavia, Hato, Neto; Palmer, Rogers; Joao Pedro.
Among the substitutes: Penders, James, Caicedo, Welbeck.
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