Chelsea Begin Xabi Alonso Era With Fulham Derby at Craven Cottage

Chelsea’s first Premier League match under Xabi Alonso is a west London derby away to Fulham on Monday, 24 August. It is an immediate test of the Blues’ ability to turn a busy summer into a coherent performance.

Chelsea then face Brighton at home before travelling to Arsenal, so Alonso’s opening three league fixtures offer a quick indication of how his new system is taking shape. Fulham will be determined to make the derby uncomfortable from the first minute