Chelsea’s 2026/27 Premier League fixture list has now been revealed and football.london takes a look at what Xabi Alonso’s dream line-up would be for the opening weekend trip to Fulham
Xabi Alonso will begin life as Chelsea manager with a short trip to Craven Cottage on August 24 as the Blues take on west London neighbours Fulham in the opening round of Premier League fixtures for the 2026/27 season.
Chelsea’s fixture list for the upcoming Premier League campaign was released on Friday morning with Alonso having half an eye on late-August already. Before that, the newly-appointed Chelsea manager, who starts in his job role on July 1, will work alongside the club’s five sporting directors in the ongoing summer transfer window.
Sources say Alonso will be given more power on the transfer front as he and the sporting leadership team look to build a competitive squad by the time August 24 comes around. Already this summer, Chelsea have sold Marc Cucurella, with the Spaniard completing a £51.7million (total package) move to Real Madrid earlier this week.
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A versatile defender – someone who can cover at left-back – could be on the agenda as per reports elsewhere. Although there is big trust in Jorrel Hato after his impressive second half of the 2025/26 season. Chelsea are really pleased with the Netherlands international’s progress and that made the decision to sell Cucurella an easier one.
Insiders close to the club have told football.london that Chelsea are targeting at least – those two words should be emphasised – two starting-level players this summer. We know a centre-back is a priority for the Blues, with Alonso and the sporting directors aligned when it comes to finding Levi Colwill the right long-term partner.
Maxence Lacroix of Crystal Palace is admired. An experienced head and proven in the Premier League – two things Chelsea are searching for with the club’s tweaked transfer strategy – though the France international is not expected to be cheap. With three years remaining on his Selhurst Park contract, the Eagles are in no rush to sell Lacroix, though there are reports claiming the 26-year-old is considering his options this summer.
Other centre-backs are also on the agenda for Chelsea, though sources close to the club are keeping their cards close to their chest. As is the case in the centre of midfield; while we know it is an area the Blues are looking to recruit for, finding out names has been difficult.
Lacroix’s Palace colleague Adam Wharton has long been someone on Chelsea’s radar and there is no suggestion interest has gone away this summer. However, the lack of European football could be a big blow for the Blues in the race to sign the England international, who has suitors that can boast Champions League qualification.
Wharton is set to cost a figure around £100m and there are suggestions Palace will use Manchester City’s pursuit of Elliot Anderson as a guideline when it comes to their asking price. City saw their second bid, reported to be in the region of £120m, turned down by Nottingham Forest earlier this month.
Chelsea could well have some money to spare should Enzo Fernandez leave Stamford Bridge this summer. Fernandez has informed the Blues of his desire to depart in the coming months, sources say, with Real Madrid a serious contender to secure the Argentina international’s signature.
With Fernandez’s intention to leave, Chelsea will sell him should their £120m asking price be met. Reports in Spain claim Los Blancos have other midfield targets as well as they consider meeting the west Londoners’ extortionate valuation.
Chelsea are in the market for a versatile attacker as well. Enzo Maresca, Liam Rosenior and Calum McFarlane all had issues when it came to the left wing last season and the club want someone who can play on that side in time for Alonso’s debut campaign.
Alejandro Garnacho has thus far failed to convince since signing from Manchester United less than 12 months ago, while Jamie Gittens missed almost the entire second half of the season due to injury. Pedro Neto can play on the left-hand side, as can incoming signing Geovany Quenda, who is set to be part of the first-team picture next term.
As far as left-wing options in the transfer market go, again, not many names have been mentioned or let slip by sources. Morgan Rogers is a player football.london knows Chelsea have a long-time interest in, though all the signs are pointing towards the Aston Villa attacker moving to Arsenal.
Either way, Chelsea are expected to bring in a new left-sided attacker this summer. With that being said, football.london names its ‘dream’ Chelsea XI for the opening weekend trip to Craven Cottage:
Dream Chelsea XI vs Fulham : Sanchez; James, Lacroix , Colwill, Hato; Wharton , Caicedo; Estevao, Palmer, new LW ; Joao Pedro
