Xabi Alonso has named a very youthful starting lineup as Chelsea face Western Sydney Wanderers in a pre-season friendly today.
The Blues have enjoyed victories in two behind-closed-doors friendlies already this summer, against Crawley and Bromley respectively, but are now on tour Down Under and prepared to play under the scrutiny of fans and media.
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They are believed to have employed a 4-2-3-1 system in both of those matches at Cobham, and new boss Alonso is expected to use the same system again here.
There are a few players in line for debuts in Australia, chief among them being summer signings Marco Palestra and Dastan Satpayev. Emmanuel Emegha and Geovany Quenda might have hoped for the same, but were left in London after picking up knocks.
Alonso has brought enough players to use a unique XI in either half against Western Sydney Wanderers and will likely use a blend of youth and experience.
He’s opted for youth from the start at Accor Stadium, with Teddy Sharman-Lowe in goal.
Josh Acheampong, Tosin Adarabioyo, Olutayo Subuloye and Landon Emenalo are in defence, with the midfield comprised of highly-rated duo Reggie Walsh and Reggie Watson, plus Dario Essugo.
Liam Delap leads the line, joined in attack by Satpayev - who does not officially join Chelsea until his 18th birthday on August 12 - and Ryan Kavuma-McQueen.
British-record signing Morgan Rogers is yet to join up with the squad, so too are most of those players who played at the World Cup, including Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo, Reece James, Trevoh Chalobah and Pedro Neto.
Chelsea XI: Sharman-Lowe, Acheampong, Tosin, Subuloye, Emenalo, Walsh, Watson, Essugo, Satpayev, Kavuma-McQueen, Delap
Subs: Sanchez, Palestra, Colwill, Palmer, Gittens, Joao Pedro, Fofana, Anselmino, Nicoll-Jazuli, Kellyman, Curd, Estevao, Diakite, Lavia
Injured: Emegha, Quenda
Time and date: 10.45am BST on Tuesday July 28, 2026
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
How to watch: CFC+
