Chelsea's dream starting XI for Fulham clash with one signing and six exits

Chelsea open their Premier League campaign with a trip to west London neighbours Fulham - here's what their dream starting XI might look like

It's been a summer of change at Chelsea, who look in decent shape ahead of the new Premier League campaign. The arrival of Xabi Alonso has brought renewed optimism, with the Blues determined to put last season's disappointing 10th-place finish firmly behind them.

As has become customary under owners BlueCo, Chelsea have spent heavily during the transfer window, highlighted by the club-record £117million capture of Morgan Rogers. They've also continued to generate significant funds from player sales, raising more than £140m through the departures of the likes of Marc Cucurella and Andrey Santos.

But with the squad still bloated, trimming the ranks has become a necessity. In defence, Benoit Badiashile, Axel Disasi and Tosin Adarabioyo look set to leave, while in attack, Liam Delap and Marc Guiu could also leave after slipping down the pecking order. Meanwhile, Emmanuel Emegha would benefit from a loan move to secure regular first-team football.

The Blues also look a little light in central midfield following Santos' departure, particularly given Romeo Lavia's dismal injury record and Dario Essugo's inexperience. Signing someone like Bournemouth's Alex Scott would therefore make plenty of sense.

If, hypothetically, all of that were to happen, here's what Chelsea's dream starting XI could look like for Monday's Premier League opener against Fulham.

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Goalkeeper

Although Robert Sanchez has been Chelsea's No. 1 goalkeeper for much of his time at the club, the dream scenario would see Mike Penders given the nod between the sticks. The Belgian youngster, who has been likened to Thibaut Courtois, is set for his first season at Stamford Bridge after impressing on loan at Strasbourg.

Chelsea are excited by Penders' potential, with some already tipping him to develop into one of the world's best goalkeepers. If he is to fulfil that potential, however, he will need the club to show faith in him and provide regular opportunities to prove himself.

Sanchez may represent the safer option for the short term, but Penders would be the ideal choice to start against Fulham. His emergence as a genuine No. 1 contender would suggest Chelsea's long and often painful search for a reliable, top-class goalkeeper could finally be coming to an end.

Defence

Towards the end of pre-season, Alonso pivoted to a back-three system, signalling how he'll set up against Fulham. Instead of a traditional back four, three centre-backs will form the defensive line. In a dream scenario, that starting trio would see Reece James on the right, summer recruit Maxence Lacroix in the middle, and Levi Colwill anchoring the left.

Jorrel Hato is unlucky to miss out after a strong finish to last season, but alongside Wesley Fofana, he provides top-tier cover across the backline. Youngsters Mamadou Sarr and Josh Acheampong add further depth, giving Alonso plenty of quality options to rotate throughout the campaign.

Meanwhile, a senior exodus is on the cards. Benoit Badiashile, Axel Disasi and Tosin Adarabioyo are all set to leave before the window closes, clearing vital squad space as Alonso cements a new-look defence.

Midfield

In Alonso's 3-4-2-1 system, the wing-back and central midfield axis will be key to dictating play. Marco Palestra takes up the right wing-back role, with Pep Chavarria starting on the left, while Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez form a commanding partnership in the centre of the pitch.

Attacking talents like Pedro Neto, Estevao, Geovany Quenda and Jamie Gittens offer great flexibility to switch between wing-back and the No. 10 roles (which we'll get onto later). However, as specialist wing-backs, Palestra and Chavarria bring natural width and tactical discipline best suited to those wide roles.

Defensively, Reece James and Malo Gusto provide top-tier cover on the right, while Hato can easily step across to cover the left, as can Palestra, who has been deployed on both flanks in pre-season.

While keeping a player who has been eyeing the exit isn't ideal, holding onto someone as good as Fernandez is the absolute dream scenario for Chelsea. Romeo Lavia, Dario Essugo, summer signings Valentin Barco and Jordan Henderson, and potentially Alex Scott offer rich backup options in central midfield, meaning the Blues will be well-stocked in the centre of the park.

Attack

In attack, Joao Pedro leads the line at centre forward, supported by Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers in the two No. 10 roles. Joao Pedro has been in electric form throughout pre-season, while the close off-pitch friendship between Palmer and Rogers promises natural chemistry in the half-spaces.

The ideal striker hierarchy relies on holding on to Nicolas Jackson, whose ceiling still looks significant despite not yet fully blossoming into a natural finisher. In this 'dream' scenario, Emanuel Emegha would head out on loan to get the regular game needed for his development, while Liam Delap and Marc Guiu are sold - leaving Jackson and summer signing Danny Welbeck as reliable, high-quality cover behind Joao Pedro.

Alonso would also boast exceptional depth and flexibility behind his primary starters. Both Jackson and Joao Pedro can slot into the No. 10 roles, as can Enzo Fernandez, Pedro Neto and Estevao, ensuring there is no shortage of creativity if Palmer or Rogers need a breather or miss out through injury.

Chelsea's starting XI vs Fulham in full (3-4-2-1): Penders; James, Lacroix, Colwill; Palestra, Caicedo, Fernandez, Chavarria; Palmer, Rogers; Joao Pedro.