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Add as preferred source on Google<\/span> <\/a> <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\nThe Chelsea Chronicle have spoken to Fulham expert, Charles Jones, to preview Chelsea\u2019s Premier League opening fixture at Craven Cottage.<\/strong><\/p>\n Xabi Alonso will be looking to put right the recent record of Chelsea not winning on the opening day of the season<\/a> in their last three attempts with the West London derby.<\/p>\n The Blues will be without Wesley Fofana<\/a> for the game following his suspension at the end of last season, and are facing a side they were defeated by last season.<\/p>\n Let’s hear how you think Xabi Alonso will get on this season\u2026<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n The Chelsea Chronicle<\/strong> spoke to Fulham expert, Charles Jones, and he predicted things are going to be tough for Chelsea\u2019s<\/a> rivals this season, as well as in their opening game.<\/p>\n What has Fulham\u2019s pre-season been like?<\/strong><\/p>\n Charles: \u201cUnimpressive in more ways than one. A lot of the games have been behind-closed-doors so we\u2019ve not actually been able to see a lot of it, but what we have seen hasn\u2019t been amazing. <\/p>\n \u201cThe final game against Stuttgart was the best performance by a distance, but still doesn\u2019t look like a team that has clicked.\u201d<\/p>\n What are your thoughts on Alvaro Arbeloa as manager?<\/strong><\/p>\n Charles: \u201cI\u2019m not a fan of this appointment at all. It\u2019s a massive leap into the unknown with a manager who hasn\u2019t proven anything at any sort of level. He had a bad six month spell at Real Madrid and was their B team manager before that \u2013 and even then he had the B team in sort of mid-table in the Spanish third tier. <\/p>\n \u201cThe bulk of his experience is at the third-tier \u2013 could you imagine any other Premier League club hiring a manager from League One? Feels like we\u2019ve been completely blinded by the fact he managed Real Madrid.\u201d<\/p>\n Has Harry Wilson been suitably replaced?<\/strong><\/p>\n Charles: \u201cHarry Wilson hasn\u2019t been replaced. We signed Oscar Bobb in January and he will probably start on the right wing, but he\u2019s not at the level in terms of end product. Samu Chukwueze also left the club at the end of his loan spell so we\u2019re down two right wingers without signing anyone new.\u201d<\/p>\n How confident are you for the 2026\/27 season?<\/strong><\/p>\n Charles: \u201cAs you can probably tell from my two above answers, not confident at all. We\u2019re very lucky the three promoted sides are so poor (at least on paper), otherwise I\u2019d make us one of the favourites for relegation.\u201d<\/p>\n What will the score be between Fulham and Chelsea?<\/strong><\/p>\n Charles: \u201c3-0 Chelsea. Can see this being a seriously rude awakening for Arbeloa.\u201d<\/p>\n Alonso would be the first manager since Thomas Tuchel<\/a> to win on the opening day of the season, with him picking up a 1-0 victory over Everton in 2022.<\/p>\n A strong first couple of games will be essential for the Blues, given the fact they make the trip to the Emirates to face defending champions, Arsenal.<\/p>\nWhere will Chelsea finish in the Premier League in 2026\/27?<\/h3>\n
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<\/div>What does the future hold for Chelsea if Todd Boehly sells his stake? \ud83e\udd14<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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