Xabi Alonso is expected to return to his strongest available line-up when Chelsea host Hull City on Saturday afternoon. The Spaniard rotated heavily for Wednesday’s Carabao Cup win over Leeds United, and a number of those omitted should return for matchweek four.
Mike Penders was the deputy in the cup, but Emiliano Martinez should reclaim the goalkeeping berth. Levi Colwill is set to return after missing out on the Arsenal game, with Alonso calming worries over the defender’s fitness. The centre of the back three appears to be set in stone, with Maxence Lacroix holding down the role, while Wesley Fofana and Josh Acheampong battle it out for the right side.
Pedro Neto has been played at right wing-back in the absence of Marco Palestra and should stay there. Jorrel Hato is likely to keep his place on the other flank, with Pep Chavarria still finding his feet in English football after his summer switch.
Alonso’s most important decision is the central pairing, with Moises Caicedo still unavailable. Romeo Lavia should be playing alongside Reece James in the double pivot. The attacking three up front is largely a self-selecting group given recent developments. Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers, the game-changers off the bench against Leeds, will play as a double number ten behind Joao Pedro. The Brazilian was unused midweek and should be completely fresh.
Predicted Chelsea XI (3-4-2-1): Martinez; Fofana, Lacroix, Colwill; Neto, James, Lavia, Hato; Palmer, Rogers; Joao Pedro
The Options Available To Alonso From The Chelsea Bench
Chelsea’s reserves have already shown they can change games dramatically this season. Palmer and Rogers were introduced at half-time against Leeds, and the complexion of that tie changed almost immediately thereafter.
The clearest option through the middle is Danny Welbeck, who also scored a brace in the same game. It’s a different proposition on the flanks, though, where Estevao offers more penetration through Valentin Barco and Jamie Bynoe-Gittens if Hull’s five-man defensive line proves obdurate.
If Alonso wants more control out on the flanks, Malo Gusto is the more conservative option. Chelsea have no European commitments this season and thus have an unusually generous window for recovery before they travel to Brentford next Friday evening.