{"id":1285,"date":"2026-08-15T17:05:20","date_gmt":"2026-08-15T17:05:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=1285"},"modified":"2026-08-15T17:05:20","modified_gmt":"2026-08-15T17:05:20","slug":"the-one-change-xabi-alonso-needs-to-make-for-chelseas-premier-league-game-vs-fulham","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=1285","title":{"rendered":"The one change Xabi Alonso needs to make for Chelsea’s Premier League game vs Fulham"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Xabi Alonso saw plenty of positives in Chelsea\u2019s final pre-season game against Real Sociedad, however needs to make one change by the time the Premier League campaign comes around.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Blues ran out 3-1 winners thanks to goals from Morgan Rogers<\/a> and a Joao Pedro<\/a> brace, with Xabi Alonso naming a very strong starting side.<\/p>\n

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Chelsea lined up again in a back three after finding success in their previous friendly against AC Milan, and the same occurred again at Stamford Bridge.<\/p>\n

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Joao Pedro leads the way, but what do you make of our player ratings?<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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JP is in electric form before the new season\u2026<\/p>\n

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Xabi Alonso must start Enzo Fernandez for Chelsea vs Fulham<\/h2>\n

There was a first appearance in pre-season for Reece James<\/a> in midfield, and he was replaced in the second half by Enzo Fernandez<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Argentine was greeted by boos from the home fans, however, if he stays is too good to be sat on the bench when the Premier League season gets underway.<\/p>\n

He would likely come into midfield alongside Moises Caicedo, which would see James drop back into the back three.<\/p>\n

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The obvious player he would replace is Wesley Fofana<\/a>, who is suspended. Maxence Lacroix and Levi Colwill look certainties to start against Fulham.<\/p>\n

Fofana looked a little lost at the back against Sociedad<\/a>, with the La Liga side enjoying long spells of dominance during the first half.<\/p>\n

James\u2019 brilliance in winning the ball back means he will suit the centre-back role well, and has shown he can do it in the past under Thomas Tuchel.<\/p>\n

Fernandez\u2019s quality in possession will be a nice complement to Caicedo, and the extra protection of another defender behind them will still allow him to dictate play in attack too.<\/p>\n

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What type of reaction did Enzo Fernandez deserve on his return for Chelsea?\ud83e\udd14<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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Fofana\u2019s future at Chelsea is by no means over. The Blues are parting ways with a number of other defensive options this summer.<\/p>\n

Trevoh Chalobah and Benoit Badiashile have both made moves to Italy, while it looks as if Tosin Adarabioyo\u2019s Blues career has come to an end too.<\/p>\n

Valentin Barco has been handed the number four jersey<\/a>, which was Tosin\u2019s shirt number last season.<\/p>\n

The Englishman was not in the matchday squad today, with interest from the Premier League and abroad in signing him.<\/p>\n

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