Fernandez decision, Sanchez dropped and three new signings start - Predicted Chelsea XI vs Brighton

Chelsea will play their third game in less than a week this afternoon with Brighton the first visitors of the new Premier League season to Stamford Bridge

Xabi Alonso surprised many with how strong the Chelsea manager went in Thursday night's Carabao Cup second round victory over Luton Town.

The Blues boss used the likes of Maxence Lacroix, Reece James, Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer from the start at Stamford Bridge, less than 72 hours after they all contributed heavily in the win over Fulham at Craven Cottage. Lacroix and Palmer played the whole game, surprisingly.

Those two are so crucial for Alonso that surely they will also be picked from the start when Brighton come to the Bridge later this afternoon. With that being said, football.london predicts what the Chelsea manager will do in terms of his line-up.

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Mike Penders

While Emiliano Martinez is on his way to Stamford Bridge, the 33-year-old goalkeeper has not been signed in time for this afternoon's match. Given all that has happened this week, it does not seem the most sensible decision to start Robert Sanchez. Penders quietly impressed on Thursday night, so he could be used today.

Wesley Fofana

Fofana missed the opening two matches due to suspension but could return to the defence this afternoon. Alonso may look to revert back to a defensive trio and while it seems harsh for Josh Acheampong to drop out of the side, surely he won't start three games on the bounce in just a six-day period.

Maxence Lacroix

This man could, though, and you would expect that to be the case given he is a big-money signing brought in this summer to try and transform Chelsea's defence. Lacroix has been really impressive in his opening two matches and the Blues will need the France international to be at his best today as well.

Levi Colwill

Colwill was given the night off on Thursday. The England international is expected to return to the starting XI this afternoon, though, against the club he spent the 2022/23 season at during a loan spell.

Pedro Neto

Neto was useful when coming on in the win over Luton. The Portuguese winger impressed with his defensive work-rate - something that was called into question by his own captain during the victory over Fulham 72 hours prior. If Neto can show this sort of defensive discipline, then Alonso might be tempted to use him with question marks over the fitness of Marco Palestra.

Reece James

Three starts in a week for James? Usually you wouldn't think so but you would have had him nailed on to start the two Premier League games. There is a case for Romeo Lavia, less so for the wantaway midfielder Enzo Fernandez, but James could get the nod in the middle.

Moises Caicedo

Caicedo has missed the opening two matches of the season due to a minor injury but the Ecuadorian midfielder is nearing a return to action. Chelsea's medical staff will assess Caicedo ahead of the clash against his former club.

Pep Chavarria

This is a difficult one to predict. There is of course a case for Jorrel Hato, but Chavarria was really impressive during his full debut for the club on Thursday night.

Cole Palmer

Even though Palmer completed 90 minutes, unexpectedly, on Thursday, surely the 24-year-old gets to go from the start once again this afternoon. Palmer has dazzled in the first two matches of the season and Brighton will still have the attacker's four-goal haul against them from 2024 in the back of their minds.

Morgan Rogers

Rogers was also a surprise starter in the week but the England international was only used for 68 minutes. Chelsea's record signing will almost certainly be asked to go again at Stamford Bridge.

Joao Pedro

Joao Pedro, meanwhile, was used from the bench on Thursday for the final 17 minutes. The Brazil international will be keen to continue his fine early-season form against his former club.

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