Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has provided an update on the squad ahead of their opening Premier League game of the season against Fulham. The team will travel a short distance along the Thames to Craven Cottage for the match on Monday evening.
Alonso confirmed that there are no new injury concerns for the upcoming fixture. He stated that Danny Welbeck is expected to be fit to participate, having needed a few days of reduced training due to a minor issue. Welbeck is anticipated to resume full training on Saturday.
Squad Availability and Injury Updates
Players who returned late to pre-season training following the World Cup are all available for selection. This group includes Enzo Fernandez, who, despite recent transfer speculation, has been training well and is ready for the match against Fulham. Alonso praised Fernandez’s attitude since rejoining the team ten days ago, stating, “Enzo is a Chelsea player. He is a top, top player. He’s training really well since he started 10 days ago with the team, very integrated, and we are happy with him, and he’s getting ready for Monday.”
Other players returning from injury include Emmanuel Emegha, who missed most of pre-season with a hamstring injury but returned to training last week. Jordan Henderson, who sustained a wrist injury after England‘s victory over Mexico in July, also missed a recent match against Sociedad despite being pictured in training.
However, young centre-back Aaron Anselmino continues to struggle with a hamstring injury, which he picked up during the final friendly of Chelsea‘s tour of Australia and Asia.
Tactical Considerations and New Signings
Alonso has been alternating between a three- and four-man defence during pre-season, and it is currently unclear which formation he will choose for the match against Fulham. Regardless of the defensive setup, Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers are expected to start alongside each other in a competitive game for the first time as Chelsea players. The pair previously started against Real Sociedad, where Rogers scored his first Chelsea goal following his transfer from Aston Villa.
Due to the size of the squad, Alonso has been training with two separate groups. Players such as Nicolas Jackson, Liam Delap, and Mykhailo Mudryk are part of a group training apart from Alonso’s core squad members, and their involvement on Monday remains to be seen.
The match is scheduled for 8pm BST on Monday and will be shown live on Sky Sports.
A Long-Standing Local Rivalry
The upcoming fixture between Fulham and Chelsea marks another chapter in a local rivalry that spans decades. The two clubs’ grounds, Craven Cottage and Stamford Bridge, are located barely a mile and a half apart. This close proximity has fostered a rivalry with a rich history, even though their paths in the top flight have not always aligned consistently.
The origins of this rivalry can be traced back to a stadium disagreement in 1904. Businessman Gus Mears approached Fulham chairman Henry Norris about moving the club to a new ground on Fulham Road. After Norris declined the offer, Mears founded his own club, Chelsea Football Club, to play there instead.
Their first competitive meeting occurred in December 1910, with Fulham securing a 1-0 victory at Craven Cottage in the Second Division. Over the years, Chelsea has generally had the upper hand in this fixture.
The Abramovich era saw Chelsea maintain a lengthy unbeaten run in the derby. Both clubs are currently in periods of transition, with Chelsea adjusting to life without European football and Fulham navigating a managerial change.
This season’s derby is anticipated to be an open contest, despite the historical head-to-head record. The match will kick off at Craven Cottage.
Source: chelseafc.com
