Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
Friday night sees Chelsea end another hectic week, and a chaotic start to the 2026-27 campaign with a trip to Brentford. Romeo Lavia has been a key player under Xabi Alonso so far.
The former Man City man is likely to start once again on Friday night, with doubts over the fitness of both Reece James and Moises Caicedo. His disappointing display against Hull could also see Lavia replaced.
An interesting one ahead of Friday’s game, when Xabi Alonso picks his starting XI. But Lavia himself is confident Chelsea can win any game they play, because of the front three formed by the new manager.
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Romeo Lavia shares excitement at Chelsea’s front three
Eden Hazard thinks Chelsea’s front three is as good as any attacking threesome he was a part of. Morgan Rogers has seven goals and assists in six, Joao Pedro won the League’s Player of the Month award.
Cole Palmer is, well, Cole Palmer. Speaking to BBC Sport this week, midfielder Lavia said that the magic of the front three often makes him want to just sit in the stands and watch the trio showcase their ability.
A statstical comparison showing the number of duels won by Chelsea FC midfielders Valentin Barco and Romeo Lavia vs Hull City.
Credit: Photo by Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images/Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images
“It’s honestly amazing,” Lavia said. “Obviously I knew Morgan, but just the way he’s come in and then they’ve all clicked together up front. Sometimes I wish I could go in the stands and enjoy watching it.
“It makes your job easier, because it’s like ‘you guys go and work your magic and then we do the rest’. So we’re really, really happy to have them all and hopefully we can achieve great things together.”
No Pedro? No problem – Danny Welbeck’s form v Brentford
Pedro has been removed from Brazil’s squad for the international break. Xabi Alonso confirmed that there is an opportunity for Pedro to play on Friday despite not being available to represent Brazil in the break.
But if Pedro is missing from the West London derby, Danny Welbeck is a pretty good alternative. The England veteran has scored as many as four goals in his last five Premier League games against Brentford.
If Pedro is even 80% fit, he will surely start with the removal of the striker from Brazil’s squad giving him time to recover during the break. But fear not Chelsea fans, Welbeck has a top record against Brentford.