Chelsea have confirmed their starting XI for this afternoon’s Premier League meeting with Hull City at Stamford Bridge, with kick-off at 3pm BST. This update, published on 17 September 2026, brings our original team news report up to date with Xabi Alonso’s final selection and the injury picture around the squad.
Chelsea team news update for Hull City clash
Chelsea arrive at this fixture full of confidence after thrashing Leeds United 6-3 in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night. That result, discussed in our earlier report, gave Alonso the chance to rotate his squad before returning to league business.
The one significant absence remains Moises Caicedo. Alonso ruled the midfielder out of the Hull match on Friday, and he takes no part in the squad today. Chelsea have not disclosed a return date for the midfielder.
Hull City, by contrast, travel to west London with an unusual record for a promoted side. The visitors are unbeaten in the Premier League so far this season and have yet to concede a single goal, making them a stern early test for Chelsea’s forward line despite the midweek cup goals against Leeds.
Confirmed Chelsea starting XI at Stamford Bridge
Alonso’s confirmed line-up for kick-off reads: Martinez; Fofana, Colwill, Hato; Neto, James (c), Lavia, Gusto; Palmer, Rogers; Joao Pedro.
Robert Sánchez’s understudy Martínez continues in goal, protected by a back four of Fofana, Colwill and Hato, with Gusto operating at right-back. James captains the side, with Lavia alongside him shielding the defence. Palmer and Rogers support Joao Pedro, who leads the line against a Hull defence still searching for its first concession of the campaign.
Chelsea vs Hull lineup details and team changes
Two changes stand out from the Carabao Cup win over Leeds. Levi Colwill returns to the back line after being rested in midweek, while Roméo Lavia is also restored to midfield having been given a breather against Leeds.
Colwill’s recall continues a pattern from earlier in the season. He was left out of the side that lost 2-1 at Arsenal, then came back into the team for the Leeds tie before starting again here against Hull.
The other change sees Malo Gusto come into the XI at right-back, with Maxence Lacroix dropping out of the starting eleven. There is no suggestion that Lacroix is carrying an injury; Alonso has simply opted for Gusto’s profile against Hull’s approach at Stamford Bridge.
What happens next for Xabi Alonso’s side
With Caicedo still sidelined and Alonso continuing to rotate personnel between cup and league fixtures, squad depth remains central to how Chelsea navigate the coming weeks. Our previous look at Xabi Alonso’s squad management covered the head coach’s approach to selection decisions of this kind, and today’s changes fit that same pattern of managing minutes across a busy schedule.
For now, attention turns to whether Chelsea’s attack can find a way past a Hull defence that has not been breached in the league this season. Colwill and Lavia’s return gives Alonso a settled look at the back and in midfield, while Gusto’s inclusion offers a different balance down the right against a side that has made life difficult for every opponent so far.
No further team news is expected before kick-off. This page will be updated only if Chelsea issue any changes to the confirmed starting XI or provide fresh information on Caicedo’s fitness.
