This update, published on 17 September 2026, brings the latest position on Chelsea’s team news from their London derby against Fulham. Moisés Caicedo remains the headline absence from that squad, and no official reason has yet been offered for leaving him out. Everything else confirmed from matchday still stands, including the debuts and bench calls made by Xabi Alonso for his first competitive game in charge.
H2: Updated squad news for Chelsea vs Fulham
Chelsea’s matchday squad for the Fulham fixture contained several talking points beyond the result itself. Caicedo’s omission was the biggest surprise when the teamsheets were released, with no explanation given at the time. That silence from the club has continued since, and this piece will be updated again if fresh information emerges.
For the fuller picture of Alonso’s early selection thinking, our Alonso’s first squad selection choices covers the calls he made heading into his first game. Supporters can also revisit our original team news report from matchday itself for the full breakdown of the XI and bench.
H2: Alonso hands Acheampong start in competitive debut fixture
Josh Acheampong was handed a starting role in what was Alonso’s first competitive match as Chelsea manager. It marked a significant early call from the new head coach, trusting the young defender in a fixture with derby intensity against Fulham.
Acheampong was not the only player given a fresh opportunity. Maxence Lacroix and Morgan Rogers both made their competitive debuts for the club in the same match, giving Alonso three players starting a competitive Chelsea game for the very first time.
Enzo Fernández and Pedro Neto were named among the substitutes rather than starting, a notable decision given their usual importance to the side. Summer signing Marco Palestra missed out on the matchday squad altogether, with no place found for him even among the substitutes.
H2: Why was Moisés Caicedo missing for Chelsea against Fulham?
Caicedo was left out of Chelsea’s matchday squad completely, and no initial reason was given when the team news was confirmed. He was not among the substitutes either, meaning he had no role at all in the fixture.
As of this update, no further explanation has been provided. Supporters should treat any reasons circulating beyond what is confirmed here as unverified, since nothing official has been attached to his absence at this stage. Read Chelsea will update this report if that changes.
H2: What happens next for Alonso’s squad selection
Fulham lined up with their own selection points of interest. Oscar Bobb, Gonzalo Garcia, and Cesar Palacios started in attack for the hosts, while Fulham were without Joachim Andersen, who was suspended, and Tom Cairney, who was unavailable through injury.
For Alonso, the questions raised by this squad are likely to shape selection discussion heading into the following fixtures. Whether Caicedo returns to the squad, and whether Acheampong, Lacroix, and Rogers keep their places after impressive debuts, remain open questions that this update cannot yet answer. Our post-match reaction from the Fulham win captures how the squad responded once the final whistle went.
This piece will continue to be refreshed as confirmed information becomes available, rather than speculation about Caicedo’s situation or the make-up of future squads under Alonso.
