Xabi Alonso has quickly got to grips with his Chelsea squad in pre-season, and the Spaniard will be tasked with ending the Blues' trophy drought, which dates back to their FA Cup success in 2018. Chelsea's expensively assembled squad is expected to mount a credible top-four challenge in the Premier League this season. Alonso joins Chelsea at a time where both parties are in dire need of stability, following the departure of Enzo Maresca and Alonso's own ousting as Real Madrid boss just 11 days after the Italian's departure.
Chelsea's squad still needs some maintenance, with players expected to either be sold or loaned out before the end of the transfer window. Alonso will have some familiar faces to call upon in his side's opener against Fulham, but may opt to utilise some of the club's younger stars. The Blues kick off the new season with a mouthwatering west London derby against Fulham at Craven Cottage on Monday, August 24 – live on talkSPORT.
Alonso has the unenviable task of choosing a starting XI from the huge number of players at his disposal. Defence and attack provide Alonso with arguably his biggest selection headache. In attack, Chelsea are blessed with a host of attacking talent in Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers, and Joao Pedro. Meanwhile, Danny Welbeck, Pedro Neto, Estevao, Mykhailo Mudryk, and Nicolas Jackson will be staking their case for a starting role.
Alonso is set to opt for his tried and trusted back three with Fofana, Colwill, and Lacroix marshalling the Blues' back line. In midfield, Alonso could hand new Italian wing-back Palestra his first taste of Premier League football on the left of Chelsea's midfield with Neto occupying the right. The Blues could line up with this starting XI for their Premier League opener at Fulham.