Enzo Fernandez agreement reached and Cole Palmer decision - Chelsea line-ups for Brighton clash

Xabi Alonso faces a number of tough decisions in relation to his Chelsea line-up against Brighton on Sunday afternoon and our Blues writers weigh in with their views

Less than 72 hours after Chelsea 's Carabao Cup second round victory over Luton Town, Xabi Alonso will be asked to pick his line-up for Sunday afternoon's Premier League fixture against Brighton.

The Blues have started the new season with two wins from two matches but Sunday presents their biggest challenge to date. Brighton were scintillating in their 4-0 win over Aston Villa last weekend.

The Seagulls raced to a four-goal lead against the disjointed Villa before the half-time whistle. Fabian Hurzeler, who Alonso knows very well from their days of coming up against each other in the Bundesliga, clearly instructed Brighton to take their foot off the gas in the second period.

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Brighton arrive at Stamford Bridge with a superb recent record against Chelsea. The Seagulls have won their last four matches - home and away - in all competitions against the Blues.

This all makes for a really tricky afternoon for Alonso and his players. With that being said, Bobby Vincent and Jake Stokes discuss and debate the line-up they would choose if they were in the manager's shoes - and they are in agreement over whether Enzo Fernandez should feature at Stamford Bridge.

Bobby Vincent

Alonso went to a four-back formation for Chelsea's win over Luton, but I'd be tempted to switch to a trio in defence for the visit of the Seagulls.

Robert Sanchez is surely not in the right headspace to start at the Bridge. Emi Martinez will arrive from Aston Villa but it is unclear at the time of writing whether he was registered in time for Sunday's game. Mike Penders should start in goal if not.

Even with Wesley Fofana available for selection after serving a two-match suspension, Josh Acheampong should keep his place on the right-hand side of a back three, alongside Maxence Lacroix and Levi Colwill.

Pedro Neto could be given a run out in the right wing-back role with question marks over the fitness of Marco Palestra still. I'd be inclined to use Pep Chavarria on the other side after an impressive showing versus Luton.

Fernandez should be nowhere near the squad, instead it should be Moises Caicedo alongside Reece James if the former is deemed fit enough to face his former club. In front of them, the deadly front three of Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and Joao Pedro. An exciting line-up.

Bobby's XI : Penders; Acheampong, Lacroix, Colwill; Neto, James, Caicedo, Chavarria; Palmer, Rogers, Joao Pedro

Jake Stokes

Alonso has the chance to lay down a marker when Chelsea face Brighton. If the Blues can pick up from where they left off and storm past Hurzeler's side on Sunday afternoon, the squad will be full of confidence ahead of next week's clash against Arsenal. Sanchez appears to have fallen out of favour, with Martinez set to swap Villa Park for Stamford Bridge and become the new No.1, so, in the meantime, Penders should feature between the sticks. Although he wasn't tested much against Luton, he did well.

At the back, Acheampong deserves to remain at right centre-back, even though Fofana has served his suspension. The 20-year-old defender has been superb in the Frenchman's absence, and he's done more than enough to earn a key role in the side. In the middle of the park, hopefully, Caicedo passes a late fitness test and partners with James, but Romeo Lavia would be more than capable. Regardless of where Fernandez plays his football following deadline day, it's unlikely he'll be involved. The frontline picks itself these days, but I would like to see more of Estevao Willian and Geovany Quenda : two really exciting options off the bench. Fernandez and Neto could be key players for Alonso, but I doubt they start against the Seagulls with the transfer window still open.

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