RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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Predicted XI: Enzo questions leak onto the pitch as Alonso faces first selection dilemma of the season
Chelsea are preparing for their first Premier League game of the season, and we’ve taken a guess at the team they will pick.
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The day has finally arrived: Chelsea’s first Premier League game of the season is tonight against Fulham.
The Blues will line up for the first time under Xabi Alonso, and right now the debate is about who will get the nod for the new coach’s first team selection.
Chelsea’s first Premier League team of the season
Enzo Fernandez & Reece James (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
In all honesty, Alonso’s preseason has given us a pretty good idea of who he is going to pick. The potential absences are Enzo Fernandez, who played just a handful of preseason minutes, and Wesley Fofana who is suspended. With that known, the team looks pretty set.
It will be Robert Sanchez somehow starting yet another season as Blues’ first choice goalkeeper.
If Alonso goes with a back three as expected, it should see new signing Maxence Lacroix line up centrally, with academy boys Reece James and Levi Colwill to his right and left respectively.
On the evidence of preseason, the wing backs would then be Marco Palestra and Pedro Neto.
Central midfield has Moises Caicedo , alongside Enzo Fernandez if he’s considered fit and mentally ready to play. If he’s not ready to start, we’ll probably see Romeo Lavia get a turn, or James moved into midfield with Josh Acheampong added to the back line.
Joao Pedro will start up top, with Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer playing off him.
We can’t wait to see this side in competitive action.
In other news…
Several players who are wanted by other teams look increasingly likely to stay at Chelsea as the Blues stick to their asking prices.
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