Two Chelsea changes for Everton clash as Xabi Alonso makes bold defensive decision

Xabi Alonso struck gold after the international break, fielding arguably his most balanced Chelsea starting lineup to date, but he could still make a couple of tweaks this weekend.

Xabi Alonso could make as few as two changes when Chelsea face Everton. David Moyes' side is just one of three teams yet to taste defeat in the Premier League this season, so the Blues will need to tread carefully at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Chelsea returned to winning ways last weekend, enjoying a 5-1 win over Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge. The Blues had stumbled before the international break, dropping points to Arsenal, Hull City, and Brentford.

But Alonso put the three weeks on the grass at Cobham training ground to good use, climbing back on the horse and leading Chelsea to victory. As for the Toffees, although they remain unbeaten, they've won just two of their six games.

Everton were held to a 2-2 draw by Hull City at the MKM Stadium last weekend, leapfrogging the Blues and climbing to fifth in the English top flight. Chelsea may fancy their chances in Merseyside, boasting one of the strongest frontlines in the country, but they lost their first and only visit to the Toffees' new ground back in March 2026.

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Alonso tweaks Chelsea backline

In an effort to compete with the Toffees' physicality, Alonso could make two changes to the Chelsea backline this weekend. Pep Chavarria has been superb for the Blues this season, winning plenty of duels and bombing forward, but Jorrel Hato could be viewed as a potential option to help nullify Everton in dead-ball scenarios.

Moyes' side have scored three goals from set-pieces this season, and they're just one of four teams yet to concede from such. Although Pedro Neto has quietly been very effective for Chelsea in his new wing-back role, Alonso could go one step further and start Marco Palestra, who'd add a little more height to the starting lineup.

Henderson earns more Chelsea minutes

Ordinarily, Romeo Lavia would, and probably should, start alongside Moises Caicedo in the double pivot, but Jordan Henderson made an excellent impression last weekend, firing Chelsea to an emphatic and much-needed win.

If the 36-year-old midfielder were to start, it wouldn't be a token gesture; he did more than enough to keep his place in the starting lineup. With his vast experience of Merseyside derbies, too, Henderson would actually be a good fit on Saturday afternoon, taking the brunt of slack in his stride.

Chelsea frontline redployed... again!

By now, it should go without saying that Morgan Rogers, Cole Palmer, and Joao Pedro should spearhead the Chelsea team. The Everton backline, comprised of James Tarkowski, Michael Keane, and Jarrad Branthwaite, as well as either Jake O'Brien or Ainsley Maitland-Niles, will put up a much greater battle this weekend, so the Blues will need to have their wits about them.

Alonso makes two changes

In an effort to compete with the physicality at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, Alonso could be inclined to make just two changes to the Chelsea starting lineup. Chavarria and Neto have every right to remain in the starting lineup, having done well so far this season, but Hato and Palestra would just provide the Blues with a little more security from dead-ball scenarios.

Predicted Chelsea starting lineup to face Everton: Emi Martinez; Levi Colwill, Maxence Lacroix, Josh Acheampong; Jorrel Hato, Jordan Henderson, Moises Caicedo, Marco Palestra; Morgan Rogers, Cole Palmer; Joao Pedro.