Chelsea predicted XI vs Fulham sees Enzo Fernandez return to midfield and Reece James move into defence as Xabi Alonso prepares for his first competitive game in charge.
The Blues begin their 2026/27 Premier League campaign at Craven Cottage on Monday night, with Alonso facing several significant calls despite having close to a full squad available.
Wesley Fofana is the one definite absentee after Chelsea confirmed the defender must serve a two-match suspension following his red card against Sunderland on the final day of last season. Chelsea’s official Fulham briefing confirms Fofana will miss the opener.
Chelsea predicted XI vs Fulham keeps Alonso’s back three
Chelsea’s final pre-season friendly remains the strongest clue to Alonso’s thinking.
The Blues used a 3-4-3 against Real Sociedad, with Robert Sanchez in goal and Fofana, Maxence Lacroix and Levi Colwill forming the back three. Pedro Neto and Marco Palestra operated as wing-backs, while James partnered Moises Caicedo centrally.
Morgan Rogers and João Pedro scored in a 3-1 victory as Chelsea finished their preparations strongly. Chelsea’s official Real Sociedad line-up showed what appeared to be Alonso’s strongest available side.
Fofana’s suspension forces at least one change.
Rather than introduce Josh Acheampong or change to a back four, ReadChelsea expects Alonso to use James on the right of the three.
That would not be an experiment.
Alonso has confirmed James can play centrally in a back three as well as at right-back, wing-back or in midfield. The Chelsea head coach has praised James’ versatility and said he improves the side wherever he plays.
Lacroix should retain the central role, while Colwill starts on the left after completing a full pre-season.
Alonso has also described Colwill as one of the world’s best centre-backs when fully fit, making his place difficult to question.
Enzo Fernandez gets our vote over Romeo Lavia
Moving James backwards creates the biggest decision in midfield.
Romeo Lavia has enjoyed useful minutes during pre-season and would be a perfectly credible choice alongside Caicedo.
We are predicting Enzo Fernandez.
Alonso has confirmed the players who returned later following the World Cup are all available to face Fulham, even though some remain behind others in their physical preparation. Chelsea’s latest team-news update confirms Enzo and the other late returnees can be selected.
Fernandez also replaced James after 62 minutes of the Real Sociedad victory, which gave Alonso the opportunity to look at Caicedo-Enzo within the same structure.
With Fofana unavailable, using James in defence and restoring Fernandez therefore allows Alonso to retain the shape without asking a less experienced centre-back to immediately start the Premier League opener.
Neto and Palestra are our picks at wing-back.
Palestra has done increasingly well throughout pre-season, and Alonso’s latest comments suggest the Italian is firmly pushing for competitive minutes. ReadChelsea covered Alonso’s claim that Marco Palestra gives Chelsea “something different”, with his versatility on either flank particularly valuable in this system.
Palmer, Rogers and João Pedro should start together
The attacking trio is considerably easier to predict.
Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers played behind João Pedro against Real Sociedad, with Rogers scoring on his Chelsea debut before João Pedro struck twice.
There is also positive news surrounding Palmer after last season’s fitness problems.
ReadChelsea reported Alonso’s encouraging Cole Palmer fitness update on Sunday, with the Chelsea boss believing the 24-year-old has learned from last season’s setbacks and worked throughout pre-season to prevent those symptoms returning.
Palmer therefore looks certain to start if there is no late problem.
Rogers should join him after starting Chelsea’s final friendly, while João Pedro has made the strongest possible case to lead the line after an excellent pre-season.
Danny Welbeck should also be available after a minor fitness issue, but Alonso’s latest update suggested he was only due to return to full training on Saturday.
João Pedro remains the clear choice at centre-forward.
Chelsea supporters looking to watch Alonso’s first competitive game can find the Fulham vs Chelsea TV channel, live stream and kick-off details in ReadChelsea’s match guide.
ReadChelsea predicted Chelsea XI vs Fulham (3-4-2-1):
Sanchez; James, Lacroix, Colwill; Neto, Caicedo, Fernandez, Palestra; Palmer, Rogers; João Pedro.
