Fulham vs Chelsea: Predicted starting 11 for Xabi Alonso's first Premier League game
It is a real coup that Chelsea have managed to appoint Xabi Alonso as manager. The former Liverpool player joined the Blues in the same summer that the Reds also had a change in their dugout. Alonso has impressed in charge at Bayer Leverkusen, where he won the treble.
Many think Alonso should have had more time at Real Madrid. However, his inability to deal with the La Liga side's big egos cost him his job. Alonso needs to learn from this as he takes charge of his first Premier League game on Monday night against Fulham.
Fulham vs Chelsea: Predicted starting 11 for Xabi Alonso's first Premier League game
Goalkeeper and Defenders
GK: Robert Sanchez
Despite Mike Penders returning to the club following his loan at sister club Strasbourg, it appears that Robert Sanchez has remained as Chelsea's number one for now.
CB: Josh Acheampong
With Wesley Fofana suspended, it could be that Josh Acheampong makes up Chelsea's back three.
CB: Levi Colwill
Levi Colwill will have to step up in the absence of Fofana. Colwill will need to be a commanding presence if he is to start alongside the inexperienced Acheampong and new signing Maxence Lacroix.
CB: Maxence Lacroix
Lacroix signed this summer from Chelsea and will have to hit the ground running at his new team.
Midfielders
RM: Reece James
There is speculation that Pedro Neto could be moving on from Chelsea. Therefore, captain Reece James may have to play at right-back. Alonso may have wanted to play James in central midfield.
CM: Enzo Fernandez
Enzo Fernandez got booed as he came on against Real Sociedad in Chelsea's final pre-season match. This is no surprise, as he has been angling for a move away from Stamford Bridge for some time. Real Madrid stated that they did not want him, and Manchester City missed Chelsea's deadline to sign him.
Despite the boos, Fernandez is still a very talented player and performed well against Sociedad. Alonso's downfall at Real Madrid was being unable to manage big egos. Therefore, he needs to be careful about how he deals with Fernandez.
CM: Moises Caicedo
Moises Caicedo is the best holding midfielder in the world. He will likely be Chelsea's first name on the team sheet. The defensive midfielder should allow Fernandez to get forward and have a real impact against the Cottagers.
LM: Marco Palestra
New signing Marco Palestra could start at left midfield. This is despite him being a right-sided player. He is experienced playing on the left and has done so for Chelsea in pre-season. Playing on the left should allow the right-footed player to cut in and shoot on goal.
Forwards
CAM: Morgan Rogers
An initial thought when Morgan Rogers was signed by Chelsea was how he was going to fit into a system that already has Cole Palmer. However, Alonso's formation of 3-4-2-1 will allow the Blues to play two attacking midfielders. There will be huge pressure on Rogers after Chelsea paid £117 million for his services. Many big-money signings have struggled to live up to their price tags in the past.
CAM: Cole Palmer
After being left out of the England squad for the World Cup, Palmer will be playing with a point to prove. However, it remains to be seen how he will find sharing creative duties with Rogers.
CF: Joao Pedro
Joao Pedro is perhaps the most highly rated forward in the Premier League behind Erling Haaland right now. Not many Fantasy Football teams will not have either player in their lineups. Pedro scored 15 goals in 35 Premier League games last season and continued his good form into pre-season.
