Xabi Alonso drops Chelsea vs Arsenal team news hint as two academy stars named

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·6 September 2026

Xabi Alonso drops Chelsea vs Arsenal team news hint as two academy stars named

Two young stars have caught the eye of Blues manager

Xabi Alonso has name-checked two Chelsea academy stars ahead of today's huge London derby at Arsenal.

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Chelsea head to the Emirates on Sunday with Alonso confident he has enough midfield options despite failing to sign a replacement for Enzo Fernandez on transfer deadline day.

Fernandez completed a £120m move to Manchester City, with Chelsea agreeing a £47m deal for Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara as his replacement. However, Monaco pulled out of the deal at the last minute.

Reece James and Moises Caicedo are expected to remain central to Alonso's plans, although the Ecuador midfielder is an injury doubt after being forced off shortly after coming on against Brighton.

Romeo Lavia has started both games this season and has impressed, but has been plagued by injuries since joining Chelsea in 2023.

Reggie Watson

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Summer signing Valentin Barco and experienced midfielder Jordan Henderson also give Alonso further options, though the latter is sidelined with an injury, while Reggie Watson and Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli have emerged as potential first-team players.

“We have different qualities, personalities, like Valentin, he is young but he has come with great energy,” Alonso told repoters. “We have Hendo, he has the composure, the mentality, he knows what is going on in the game so he is getting closer and closer to playing time.

“With Romeo, Reece as well, even Malo [Gusto] can play, Watson as well, Mahdi from the academy.

“We have options and we need to have the right balance and we think that we have quality, competitiveness for all the season and to face each opponent.”

Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli

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Watson, 16, is the son of former Crystal Palace and Wigan midfielder Ben Watson and has trained with Chelsea's first team after travelling on their pre-season tour of Australia.

He was an unused substitute in the Carabao Cup victory over Luton Town in August.

Nicoll-Jazuli, also 16, featured on the summer tour, playing against Tottenham before starting against Juventus in Hong Kong.

Both teenagers could now be part of Alonso's plans as Chelsea prepare for their first major test of the season.