Chelsea have decided to make further changes for their Premier League clash against Hull City as they return to league action following their Carabao Cup victory.
It appears that Xabi Alonso has settled on Jorrel Hato, Wesley Fofana and Levi Colwill as his centre-back three, with Pedro Neto and Malo Gusto operating as the wing-backs and providing the width. Gusto has already been used in several positions by Alonso this season, lining up at right wing-back, defensive midfield and now potentially on the left.
A few different changes to the line-up that we had predicted yesterday.
However, if that is not the plan, Gusto could instead drop into the back three, with Hato moving across to his more familiar left-sided role.
It is the usual setup in midfield, with the Spanish manager showing no desire to overcomplicate things as Reece James and Romeo Lavia take up their familiar positions. Despite impressing, the new English pantomine villain, Valentin Barco, drops to the bench for this one.,
Then comes the attacking trio that gets the fans off their seats, with the dangerous combination of Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and Joao Pedro all named in the starting XI.
How our Blues line up against Hull City! 🫡#CFC | #CHEHUL pic.twitter.com/TEambd01kC
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) September 12, 2026
This game could go either way when it comes to being exciting or a slog, with both sides happy to surrender possession and look to hit on the counter-attack. Newly promoted Hull City are averaging just 28.7% possession this season, while Chelsea are proving that you do not need to dominate the ball to win, sitting at 36.3%.
That figure could rise for Chelsea after 90 minutes, with the Blues expected to take control of the game at home and put Hull under sustained pressure.
Line ups
Chelsea: Martinez; Hato, Fofana, Colwill; Neto, James, Lavia, Gusto; Palmer, Rogers, Pedro
Substitutes: Penders, Lacroiz, Chavarria, Acheampong, Barco, Quenda, Estevao, Gittens, Welbeck
Hull City: Tzolakis; Coyle (c), Ajayi, Egan, Mendy, Giles; Crooks, Slater; Belloumi, McBurnie, Stroud
Substitutes: Phillips, Thomas, Norton-Cuffy, Herrington, Targett, Gourna, Iroegbunam, Vaz, Cho
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