Chelsea XI vs Brighton: Martinez debut - Starting lineup, confirmed team news, injury latest for Premier League today | OneFootball

A decision has been made in goal and midfield

While Martinez’s move was only announced a few hours before the Premier League fixture at home to Brighton on Sunday, Xabi Alonso does have his latest summer signing available for selection.

This is because Martinez was registered by Friday's 12pm BST deadline.

As such, the goalkeeper gets the nod over Robert Sanchez, who has now lost his place as Chelsea’s first-choice option. Mike Penders made his Blues debut against Luton in midweek and is named on the bench.

Moises Caicedo is back in the squad after suffering an injury last week in training which saw him miss wins over Fulham and Luton Town in the Premier League and Carabao Cup respectively.

But Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has said: “He is hopefully training [on Friday]. We are hopeful he can be involved. We are still checking; no decision made.”

Levi Colwill and Geovany Quenda both missed out on the matchday squad for the 2-0 win over Luton on Thursday but there are, according to Alonso, “no issues”.

“Our plan is that they are training [Friday] preparing for Sunday. With Levi, we know three games in a week after the injury, missing a period, he needs to take the right steps.

“We don’t want to push him too much. So he feels comfortable.”

Enzo Fernandez is not involved at all as speculation regarding his future continues to rumble on, but Cole Palmer is fit to start alongside Morgan Rogers and Joao Pedro as Chelsea’s front three continues to bed in.

In midfield, Alonso has rested captain Reece James and appears to have named a pairing of Romeo Lavia and Malo Gusto.

Jordan Henderson and Marco Palestra remain injured.

Wesley Fofana is back from suspension and starts competitively for the first time this season. He missed the last two games following his red card at Sunderland on the final day of last season.

Chelsea XI: Martinez; Fofana, Lacroix, Colwill; Neto, Lavia, Gusto, Hato; Palmer, Joao Pedro, Rogers.