Cole Palmer starts, Morgan Rogers debut - Predicted Chelsea starting XI vs Real Sociedad
Xabi Alonso could perhaps field his strongest starting lineup yet when Chelsea host Real Sociedad at Stamford Bridge this afternoon.Xabi Alonso is expected to make wholesale changes to the starting lineup when Chelsea face Real Sociedad. The new Blues manager will be determined to mark his debut in the home dugout at Stamford Bridge with a win, so Cole Palmer could very well be one of the first names on the teamsheet.The Chelsea talisman was one of the first to report for pre-season training this summer, having been left out of the England squad by Thomas Tuchel. Although Palmer missed out on the opportunity to represent his country at the World Cup, he was, however, given the chance to recharge his batteries ahead of a particularly poignant campaign.At the start of last season, the Blues midfielder suffered a groin problem, which later proved to be the first big injury of his career. Despite the nature of the issue and having had little to no time to recover over the summer following his heroics at the Club World Cup, he was rushed back from the treatment room.Palmer aggravated the injury a week later and spent the next two months or so in the treatment room before reappearing in December 2025. The Englishman was carefully reintegrated into the starting lineup; he showed flashes of brilliance, as any top player would, but lost his spark.FOLLOW OUR CHELSEA FB PAGE! Latest Blues news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook pageA disappointing end to the season ultimately cost him a place in the Three Lions squad at the World Cup. Having now had a proper summer break for the first time since joining Chelsea, Palmer appears to have since recharged his batteries and rebuilt his confidence in the early stages of Alonso's reign.He's played a key role in pre-season, featuring in three of the five friendlies while on tour across Australia and Asia. Without European football this term, Palmer has the luxury of carefully managing his minutes while rediscovering his world-class form.If the Blues are to qualify for the Champions League this season, and perhaps win a piece of silverware or two, Alonso will need the Englishman fit and firing on all cylinders. So, with the opening Premier League game of the new campaign just around the corner, Palmer will likely start against Real Sociedad.Robert Sanchez will likely start between the sticks at Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon, having had a little longer to establish himself under Alonso this summer. That said, it wouldn't be surprising if he's replaced by Mike Penders at half-time.Alonso could deploy a back-four of Jorrel Hato, Wesley Fofana, Levi Colwill, and Marco Palestra. Although the Spaniard will be keen to take a look at the likes of Reece James and Maxence Lacroix, who could get minutes off the bench, they've only returned to action earlier this week following an extended break after the World Cup.Enzo Fernandez, Valentin Barco, and Jordan Henderson fall into the same boat, so Moises Caicedo will likely partner with Romeo Lavia in the middle of the park. Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli, who's still just 16, could feature in some capacity, too, having made a great impression while out on tour.With Pedro Neto facing a somewhat uncertain future, it'll be interesting to see whether he's thrown into the starting lineup. Estevao Willian will likely start on the right, with Morgan Rogers, who has been working hard in the off-season, on the left.If the new Chelsea signing isn't quite ready, Geovany Quenda could be in strong contention for a start, having impressed so far in pre-season. Then, up top, Alonso could be keen to play Palmer off Joao Pedro.Josh Acheampong and Jamie Gittens caught the eye during the tour, too, so they should be granted at least half an hour or so. And finally, it would be great to see Mykhailo Mudryk take to the field; he would get a great ovation from the home crowd, which he so richly deserves after so long on the sidelines.
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