Team News: Xabi Alonso drops brand new midfield and changes in attack and defence | OneFootball

Chelsea face Brentford at the G Tech Arena tonight in the Premier League, and the teams are in! Let’s see who Xabi Alonso has selected…

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This away game at Brentford has looked like a huge challenge right from the moment the fixtures came out, and the events of this week haven’t made it any easier.

It became clear yesterday that Joao Pedro was going to miss the game – then we found out Reece James was in the same boat. Here’s the team Xabi Alonso has picked from what’s available to him.

Alonso’s new midfield prepares for tough battle

(Photo by Patrick Khachfe/Getty Images)

In goal Emi Martinez starts, in need of a big performance. The back line has the most experienced trio: Levi Colwill, Wesley Fofana and Maxence Lacroix. Josh Acheampong is unlucky to miss out.

In midfield, things get interesting. James is replaced by Jordan Henderson, making his Chelsea debut, while Romeo Lavia is benched for Valentin Barco.

At wing back, Pep Chavarria gets his first Premier League start, replacing Jorrel Hato, while Pedro Neto continues on the other side. Danny Welbeck starts up front, replacing the injured Joao Pedro.

Youngster Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli is on the bench as the lack of central midfielders bites deeply.

In other news…

There are some concerns that Brentford match up very well with Chelsea in many aspects of their game, especially out wide.

Reece James is out of tonight’s game with an injury. That’s brutal news for Chelsea who are now super depleted in midfield.

Cristiano could have been a Chelsea player – but Thomas Tuchel put his foot down despite Jorge Mendes’ best efforts.