Chelsea FC manager Xabi Alonso confirmed Marco Palestra and Moises Caicedo missed the season-opening Premier League win at Fulham due to minor fitness setbacks. The Blues kicked off their 2026-27 campaign with a 3-2 victory over their west London neighbours at Craven Cottage on Saturday, a result that places them seventh in the early table with three points from one game.
Alonso told the club's official website that both players were ruled out after picking up issues in training. "They had minor setbacks during the week, so they were not fit to play tonight," the Spanish manager said. Palestra and Caicedo join Jordan Henderson and Enzo Fernández on the current injury list, which is tracked on the club's injuries page.
Who made their Chelsea debut at Fulham?
With Palestra and Caicedo unavailable, two summer signings were handed their competitive debuts for Chelsea. Defender Maxence Lacroix and forward Morgan Rogers both started the match at Craven Cottage, which is just a stone's throw from Stamford Bridge. Alonso indicated both new faces are expected to feature prominently this season. "New faces debut for us, Morgan and Max, and they are going to play important roles through the year," he stated.
The starting eleven also included Robert Sanchez in goal, a back four of Josh Acheampong, Lacroix, Levi Colwill, and Malo Gusto. Captain Reece James anchored midfield alongside Romeo Lavia and Jorrel Hato, with Cole Palmer, Rogers, and Joao Pedro forming the attack.
How did the pre-season build to this game?
This match marked Alonso's first competitive game in charge following an extensive pre-season tour. The squad prepared with matches in Australia and Asia before a final friendly against Real Sociedad at Stamford Bridge. Alonso expressed satisfaction with the build-up. "Everyone is excited in the building and in the team," he said. "It’s great that after a long pre-season we are where we want to be."
The win gives Chelsea a positive start, with three goals scored and two conceded for a +1 goal difference. They sit three points behind early leaders Manchester City in the title race.
What's next for Chelsea after the opening win?
Attention now turns to a major early-season test. Chelsea's next fixture is a trip to face Arsenal, who are currently third in the Premier League, on September 6. You can view the full schedule on our fixtures page. The derby victory provides momentum, but the absence of key players like Palestra and Caicedo, alongside the other sidelined names, will be a factor Alonso manages closely in the coming days. The team's current league position and statistics can be followed on the standings and stats pages.
