Xabi Alonso kicks off his tenure as a Premier League manager with Chelsea with a London derby, as the Blues head to Craven Cottage for their season opener.
Fulham also have a new face in dugout as Alvaro Arbeloa, formerly of Real Madrid, takes charge, with the club hoping not to regress in a post-Marco Silva era.
The Blues have spent big once again this summer, headlined by the £117m signing of England international Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa, in a bid to change their fortunes after a dismal 10th-place finish last season – although the lack of European football in their campaign this time means they should be fresher than rival squads.
The signings of old heads like Jordan Henderson and Danny Welbeck mean this is a different Chelsea compared to previous eras – and after worrying opening performances from fellow top-four hopefuls Manchester United and Liverpool, Alonso’s men can make a statement in tonight’s fixture.
Follow all the latest from Craven Cottage with our live blog below:
Alvaro Arbeloa surprised by Chelsea team selection
“You’ll have to ask Xabi! I think maybe they have some injured or some problems. I will ask him later.
“We expected another XI for starting, for sure.”
Flo Clifford24 August 2026 19:06
Notable omissions for Xabi Alonso’s bow
A few notable omissions for Xabi Alonso’s Premier League bow. One of them is, crucially, not Enzo Fernandez, who starts on the bench.
No Moises Caicedo in the centre of the park, with Romeo Lavia and Reece James starting. There is also no sign of Marco Palestra, the new arrival who many thought would start at wing back.
There is nevertheless a debut for £117m man Morgan Rogers.
Wesley Fofana travelled with the squad, despite being suspended, as did the injured pair of Danny Welbeck and Jordan Henderson.
Will Castle at Craven Cottage24 August 2026 18:54
Chelsea XI
Chelsea XI: Sanchez, Gusto, Lacroix, Colwill, Acheampong, James, Hato, Lavia, Palmer, Rogers, Joao Pedro
Substitutes: Penders, Chavarria, Barco, Enzo, Estevao, Gittens, Neto, Quenda, Welbeck
Flo Clifford24 August 2026 18:48
Fulham XI
Fulham XI: Leno, Castagne, Cuenca, Bassey, Robinson, Berge, King, Iwobi, Palacios, Gonzalo, Bobb
Substitutes: Lecomte, Tete, Reed, Muniz, Kevin, Charles, Sessegnon, Smith Rowe, De Fougerolles
Flo Clifford24 August 2026 18:45
Joao Pedro commits future to Chelsea in major boost
In more positive news for Chelsea, striker Joao Pedro has signed a new contract until at least 2032 and has taken the No 9 shirt from Liam Delap.
“He’s not just a great player, he has a great personality,” Alonso said of the Brazilian.
“His development as a great player and as a leader is very noticeable each day and in each game. He has this focus and desire to have a great season, scoring goals but also helping the team.
“I’m very happy and impressed with his personality as well. Now, we need to help him reach his goals.”
Flo Clifford24 August 2026 18:40
What has Xabi Alonso said?
Xabi Alonso insists Enzo Fernandez is showing a “good attitude” as the Chelsea manager refused to engage in speculation about his star midfielder’s future.
Blues boss Alonso rebuffed questions on the 25-year-old’s future ahead of his first competitive match in charge.
“Enzo is a Chelsea player,” Alonso said in his pre-match press conference ahead of the short opening trip to Fulham on Monday.
“He’s a top, top player. He’s training really well since he started 10 days ago with the team, very integrated. We are happy with him and he’s getting ready for Monday.”
Flo Clifford24 August 2026 18:31
How will Enzo Fernandez fare?
Another summer of transfer upheaval at Stamford Bridge shows no sign of abating, with the future of star man Enzo Fernandez in doubt.
The Argentine was booed on his return for the first time this summer as he came on against Real Sociedad in a pre-season friendly.
His name being read out over the tannoy ahead of Chelsea’s players emerging for the pre-match warm-up also received a smattering of boos from the handful of fans who had taken their seats early.
Chelsea had set a £120m price tag on the former World Cup winner but their self-imposed deadline passed with no bids; if he remains at the club, as now seems likely, it will be interesting to see the reception he gets as the season progresses.
Flo Clifford24 August 2026 18:22
The Premier League is entering a different era – and 11 new managers show us why
A summer of change has left new faces in charge of most of England’s biggest clubs – leaving, Miguel Delaney writes, both uncertainty and opportunity…
The Premier League is entering a different era – and 11 new managers show us why
A summer of change has left new faces in charge of most of England’s biggest clubs – leaving, Miguel Delaney writes, both uncertainty and opportunityFlo Clifford24 August 2026 18:11
Predicted line-ups
Fulham XI: Leno; Castagne, Bassey, Cuenca, Robinson; Iwobi, Berge; Bobb, King, Palacios; Garcia.
Chelsea XI: Sanchez; James, Lacroix, Colwill; Palestra, Caicedo, Lavia, Neto; Palmer, Rogers; Joao Pedro.
Flo Clifford24 August 2026 18:00
Team news
Fulham’s only injury concern regards Tom Cairney who is out with a knee problem, while Joachim Andersen will serve the final match of his three-game ban for a sending-off against Bournemouth in May. Ex-Real Madrid duo Gonzalo Garcia and Cesar Palacios could be in line for Premier League debuts.
Danny Welbeck faces a late fitness test for Chelsea, while Jordan Henderson and Emmanuel Emegha are definitely out with injury. Wesley Fofana, like Anderson, serves a suspension for a sending off last term.
Flo Clifford24 August 2026 17:53NewerOlder