Xabi Alonso has released his Chelsea lineup for the weekend’s Premier League game against Everton at Hill Dickinson Stadium. He has made just one change from the side that beat Bournemouth 5-1 at Stamford Bridge last weekend.
Jorrel Hato replaces Pep Chavarria, who is on the sidelines for the Merseyside trip, while Moises Caicedo wears the captain’s armband in the absence of Reece James. The Ecuadorian, again, forms a midfield partnership with Jordan Henderson.
Emiliano Martinez gets the nod in goal, Josh Acheampong, Maxence Lacroix and Levi Colwill retain their places in the backline. Pedro Neto is on the other flank from Hato, while Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers operate behind the striking Joao Pedro.
The Brazilian enters the fray as he closes in on his 50th appearance for the Blues and is enjoying a rich vein of form. Having netted five times in the top flight this season, Joao tops the scoring charts for his side.
In the demolition job on Bournemouth last weekend, the attack was on target again, with Henderson also registering a brace.
Alonso has maintained faith in his attacking trio. They have provided much of the impetus for a run-in which has seen the Blues collect just two Premier League wins since the start of the year.
The substitutes for the visitors include Mike Penders, Wesley Fofana, Marco Palestra, Valentin Barco, Romeo Lavia, Estevao, Geovany Quenda and Welbeck.
The Blues head into the encounter without James, Jamie Gittens and Emmanuel Emegha, who are all injured.
They remain on 10 points after six matches, as do the Toffees, who have remained unbeaten under their current management.
David Moyes’ men have named Jordan Pickford, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, James Tarkowski, Jarrad Branthwaite, Vitaliy Mykolenko, James Garner, Harrison Armstrong, Merlin Rohl, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Jack Grealish and Thierno Barry.
The Blues were beaten 3-0 at the same ground in their last encounter, back in March.
Xabi Alonso Gives Update On Reece James Following Knee Surgery
Alonso revealed more insight into the situation regarding James in his pre-match media interview. Speaking in the wake of the club’s announcement on Friday that the 26-year-old had undergone successful minor knee surgery, the Spaniard refused to put a timeline on the recovery process.
While he insisted the England international would be sidelined for several weeks, he said that the injury was not a short-term one. James, who has missed the defeats at Brentford and Bournemouth, could be out for around three months. This means that he could be fit to return to the field of play either side of Christmas.
The situation will be re-evaluated over the coming weeks, and Alonso reiterated that the injury would not impact the club’s plans in the January transfer window. In his absence, Caicedo and Colwill have risen to the challenge in their leadership qualities.