{"id":1702,"date":"2026-08-20T15:08:42","date_gmt":"2026-08-20T15:08:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=1702"},"modified":"2026-08-20T15:08:42","modified_gmt":"2026-08-20T15:08:42","slug":"chelsea-have-completely-ripped-up-their-back-four-that-travelled-to-fulham-last-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=1702","title":{"rendered":"Chelsea have completely ripped up their back four that travelled to Fulham last season"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\"\"\/ Add as preferred source on Google<\/span> <\/a> <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Chelsea begin their 2026\/27 Premier League campaign with a trip to neighbours Fulham<\/strong> next Monday.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Blues<\/a> will be hoping for a much better outcome compared to their last visit to Craven Cottage.<\/p>\n

\n

Last season, they lost 2-1 at their rivals\u2019 ground and saw Marc Cucurella<\/a> sent off less than half an hour into the game.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
<\/header>\n
\n
\n
\n

What do you make of Asmir Begovic\u2019s Chelsea XI?<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n
\n
\"Asmir<\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n

Cucurella will not feature in Chelsea\u2019s upcoming west London derby after joining Real Madrid earlier this summer. The same goes for Trevoh Chalobah<\/a>, who has also left Stamford Bridge<\/a> following his move to Como.<\/p>\n

Cucurella, Chalobah, Tosin Adarabioyo<\/a> and Malo Gusto<\/a> were the defenders who started for Chelsea that night. But with Cucurella and Chalobah no longer at the club and Adarabioyo training away from the first team, that defence has been completely dismantled.<\/p>\n

Of all of those names, unless there is a U-turn with Adarabioyo, Gusto will be the only player to make Xabi Alonso\u2019s<\/a> matchday squad. And the Frenchman may have to settle for the bench.<\/p>\n

\n
\"Chelsea's<\/div>
Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS \/ AFP via Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

New signing Marco Palestra impressed during pre-season<\/a>, while Gusto was already in competition with captain Reece James for the right-back spot.<\/p>\n

Of course, a lot could depend on what set-up Alonso uses at Craven Cottage. It has already been claimed that there is an acceptance that James cannot do the right wing-back role<\/a> in a 3-4-2-1 formation.<\/p>\n

Whatever the case, Chelsea are going to have a new-look defence when they make the short trip to their neighbours\u2019 home next Monday. <\/p>\n

What Chelsea\u2019s defence could look like at Craven Cottage<\/h2>\n

The likelihood is that Chelsea will not even play a back four this time around. Alonso used a back three in the Blues\u2019 final few pre-season games.<\/p>\n

With that in mind, Chelsea supporters could see a central defence consisting of James<\/a>, Maxence Lacroix<\/a> and Levi Colwill<\/a>. Pedro Neto<\/a> and Marco Palestra<\/a> could be the right and left wing-backs after playing those roles in pre-season.<\/p>\n

Wesley Fofana is suspended<\/a>, hence the possibility of James starting in central defence, although he may also be needed in midfield.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n
<\/svg><\/p>\n
Join Our Newsletter<\/span><\/p>\n

Receive a digest of our best Chelsea content each week direct to your mailbox<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n