Xabi Alonso will take charge of his first Premier League match as Chelsea manager this weekend, with the Blues hosting west London rivals Fulham in the 2026/27 season opener. Following a campaign that saw Chelsea miss out on European football after Enzo Maresca's departure, Alonso has been tasked with restoring the club's fortunes.
Alonso's Early Plans
With only one game per week to work with his squad, Alonso has the opportunity to focus on dragging Chelsea back towards the top of the table. The match against Fulham marks the beginning of that project, and the starting lineup is expected to feature several key decisions.
Defensive Core and Midfield Choices
Robert Sanchez is set to retain his place in goal, despite high-profile errors last season that saw him spend time out of the team. The defence is likely to be a back three of Reece James, Maxence Lacroix, and Levi Colwill, with Colwill returning from a lengthy injury. Lacroix, signed from Crystal Palace, is seen as a solid addition.
In midfield, all eyes are on Enzo Fernandez, who has been linked with a move away and was booed by sections of the crowd in the final pre-season friendly. Moises Caicedo is expected to start if fit, while Jorrel Hato is likely to replace Marc Cucurella at left wing-back, with Pedro Neto on the right.
Attack and Record Signing
Morgan Rogers, Chelsea's record signing from Aston Villa, is predicted to lead the attack alongside Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro. Palmer will be looking for a strong season after being left out of the World Cup squad, while Pedro aims to impress following his omission from Brazil's team.
Predicted Chelsea XI vs Fulham: Sanchez; James, Lacroix, Colwill; Neto, Fernandez, Caicedo, Hato; Rogers, Pedro, Palmer.
