Alonso’s Premier League Debut
Xabi Alonso has commenced his tenure as Chelsea manager, leading his team in a Premier League match against west London rivals Fulham. The fixture at Craven Cottage marks Alonso’s first competitive game in charge of the Blues since taking over this summer. This match also features a reunion between Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa, who is now managing Fulham. Both managers are former teammates and have previously managed Real Madrid.
Chelsea’s starting lineup for Alonso’s debut includes summer signings Maxence Lacroix and Morgan Rogers. Robert Sanchez is in goal, supported by a defensive trio of Josh Acheampong, Lacroix, and Levi Colwill. Malo Gusto and Jorrel Hato are also part of the squad, while captain Reece James and Romeo Lavia are positioned in midfield. Rogers makes his competitive debut in an attack alongside Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro.
The Blues have invested significantly again this summer, notably with the £117m signing of England international Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa. This spending follows a previous season where Chelsea finished in 10th place. The absence of European football this season is anticipated to provide the squad with more rest compared to rival teams.
Alonso’s team selection for this opening match has drawn attention, with some notable omissions. Enzo Fernandez, for instance, is on the bench. Moises Caicedo is not in the starting midfield, with Lavia and James taking those roles. Additionally, Marco Palestra, a new arrival, was not named as a starting wing-back as some had anticipated. Despite these changes, the debut of the £117m signing Morgan Rogers is a key feature of the lineup.
Squad Developments and Player Futures
In other team news, Joao Pedro has committed his future to Chelsea by signing a new contract that extends until at least 2032. He has also taken over the No 9 shirt, previously worn by Liam Delap. Alonso praised Pedro, highlighting his personality and development as both a player and a leader, expressing happiness with his focus and desire for the season.
The future of Liam Delap at Chelsea appears uncertain. He has lost the No 9 shirt to Pedro and is reportedly training separately from the main squad, amidst discussions of a potential move away this summer. Several clubs, including his former team Ipswich Town and Nottingham Forest, are reportedly considering a move for the 23-year-old forward. Ipswich had sold Delap to Chelsea for £30m last year following their relegation from the Premier League.
The transfer market continues to be a topic of discussion at Stamford Bridge, with the future of Enzo Fernandez being a subject of speculation. Alonso has addressed questions regarding Fernandez’s situation, stating that the 25-year-old is a Chelsea player and a top talent. He noted that Fernandez has been training well and is integrated with the team, preparing for the match.
Reports indicate that Fernandez was booed during a pre-season friendly against Real Sociedad and received a mixed reception when his name was announced before a warm-up. Chelsea had reportedly set a £120m price tag for the player, but that self-imposed deadline passed without any bids. It now appears likely that Fernandez will remain with the club, and his reception from fans as the season progresses will be closely watched.
Wesley Fofana travelled with the squad despite being suspended. Injured players Danny Welbeck and Jordan Henderson also travelled with the team. The inclusion of experienced players like Henderson and Welbeck suggests a shift in Chelsea’s squad composition compared to previous seasons. Alonso’s team aims to make a statement in this opening fixture following what has been described as worrying performances from other top-four hopefuls like Manchester United and Liverpool.
Fulham manager Arbeloa expressed some surprise regarding Chelsea’s team selection, suggesting that he had anticipated a different starting XI. He speculated that Chelsea might have some injuries or other issues affecting their lineup. Alonso, who scored his first Premier League goal 22 years ago, will be looking for his first win as Chelsea manager in this match.
Matchday Squads
The full Chelsea lineup for the match includes Sanchez; Gusto, Lacroix, Colwill, Acheampong; James (c), Hato, Lavia; Palmer, Rogers, Joao Pedro. Substitutes for Chelsea are Penders, Chavarria, Barco, Fernandez, Neto, Quenda, Gittens, Estevao, and Welbeck.
Fulham’s starting XI features Leno; Castagne, Cuenca, Bassey, Robinson; Berge, King, Iwobi; Palacios, Gonzalo, Bobb. Fulham’s substitutes are Lecomte, Tete, Reed, Muniz, Kevin, Charles, Sessegnon, Smith Rowe, and De Fougerolles.
Source: chelseafc.com