Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso faces several selection dilemmas before Sunday’s Premier League meeting with Brighton & Hove Albion, with goalkeeper Robert Sanchez seemingly out of contention and Enzo Fernandez unlikely to be included in the squad.
The match comes less than 72 hours after Chelsea beat Luton Town in the second round of the League Cup. Alonso’s side have won their opening two matches of the new season, but Brighton represent their toughest test so far.
The Seagulls arrive at Stamford Bridge in impressive form after a 4-0 victory over Aston Villa last weekend. Brighton scored all four goals before half-time against a disorganised Villa side, before easing off after the break.
Alonso knows Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler well, having faced him several times during his time in the Bundesliga. The Chelsea manager is therefore familiar with the tactical challenge his fellow coach can present.
Brighton have also enjoyed recent success against Chelsea. The Seagulls have won each of their past four meetings with the Blues in all competitions, at home and away, giving Sunday’s fixture an added sense of difficulty for Alonso and his players.
Debate over Chelsea’s formation
Bobby Vincent and Jack Stokes have discussed how they would set up Chelsea for the game and agreed that Enzo Fernandez should not feature at Stamford Bridge.
Alonso used a back four in the victory over Luton, but one suggested line-up would return to a back three against Brighton.
Robert Sanchez is not considered ready to start, while Emiliano Martinez is expected to join Chelsea from Aston Villa. However, it remains unclear whether Martinez will be registered in time to play on Sunday. If he is unavailable, Mike Penders is expected to continue in goal.
Although Wesley Fofana has completed his two-match suspension, Josh Acheampong is regarded as deserving of another opportunity on the right of the back three. He could line up alongside Maxence Lacroix and Levi Colwill.
Pedro Neto is one possible option at right wing-back, while Marcos Alonso’s physical condition remains uncertain. On the opposite flank, Pippo Chavarria is favoured after an excellent performance against Luton Town.
The proposed midfield pairing is Reece James and Moises Caicedo, provided Caicedo is fit enough to face his former club. Romeo Lavia is also considered capable of filling the role if necessary.
The attacking trio would consist of Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and Joao Pedro. Estevao Willian and Giovanni Queiroz are also viewed as exciting options from the substitutes’ bench.
One suggested Chelsea line-up is:
Penders; Acheampong, Lacroix, Colwill; Neto, Reece James, Caicedo, Chavarria; Palmer, Rogers, Pedro.
A second prediction has Malo Gusto and Ian Maatsen replacing Neto and Chavarria in the wing-back positions:
Penders; Acheampong, Lacroix, Colwill; Gusto, Reece James, Caicedo, Hato; Palmer, Rogers, Pedro.
Regardless of which club Enzo Fernandez represents after the transfer deadline, he is not expected to start against Brighton. Neto and Fernandez could become important players for Alonso, but with the transfer window still open, neither is predicted to be in the starting XI.
Sunday’s match offers Alonso the chance to establish an early benchmark at Chelsea. A convincing victory over Hurzeler’s Brighton would strengthen the team’s confidence before next week’s meeting with Arsenal.
Sanchez appears to have lost the manager’s trust, while Martinez is expected to move from Villa Park to Stamford Bridge and become Chelsea’s new number one. Until that move is completed, Penders could remain in goal. He was not heavily tested against Luton but produced a good performance.
Acheampong, who is 20, also impressed during Fofana’s suspension and is considered worthy of retaining a prominent role in the defence despite the Frenchman’s return.
The AF PC site is now live, offering full news coverage, comments, match details and statistics. More information is available at www.allfootballapp.com.
