Xabi Alonso may be prepared to test some of his biggest names as Chelsea face Tottenham in a pre-season friendly on Saturday morning.
The Spaniard named a side featuring just four first-team players for the Blues’ pre-season opener, a topsy-turvy 6-4 defeat of Western Sydney Wanderers.
He left the majority of his stars on the bench to start but made a raft of changes with 25 minutes left to play, adding Robert Sanchez, Levi Colwill, Wesley Fofana, Cole Palmer, Marco Palestra, Estevao, Jamie Gittens and Joao Pedro.
Alonso will be keen to best Roberto De Zerbi’s Tottenham as he looks to win over fans in this, his second match in charge of Chelsea, and may be tempted to name a stronger side from the off.
Robert Sanchez may replace Teddy Sharman-Lowe in goal, with Levi Colwill also stepping into the starting line-up as he looks to build fitness at centre-back. Summer signing Marco Palestra will hope to make his first start in royal blue, though Landon Emenalo, to whom Alonso seems to have taken a shine this summer, could keep his spot at left-back.
Reggie Watson captured the hearts of the Chelsea faithful with his performance against Western Sydney and could get another chance to impress here. Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli was similarly impressive off the bench and could get the nod.
Up top, Dastan Satpayev will hope to keep his place on the left flank as Cole Palmer gets set to come in on the right. Reggie Walsh will keep his place in the No10 with Liam Delap making way for Joao Pedro up top.
Maxence Lacroix will not be available despite Chelsea confirming his transfer from Crystal Palace on Thursday. The same is true of Morgan Rogers, who remains on his post-World Cup holidays. It remains to be seen whether Jorrel Hato or Mamadou Sarr will be fit after they missed the Western Sydney match, while Filip Jorgensen has flown home to complete a transfer.
Predicted Chelsea XI vs Tottenham (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; Emenalo, Colwill, Acheampong, Palestra; Nicoll-Jazuli, Watson; Satpayev, Walsh, Palmer; Joao Pedro
Doubts: Hato, Sarr
Unavailable: Jorgensen
How to watch: CFC+, SPURSPLAY
Time and date: 10.45am BST on Saturday, August 1
Venue: Accor Stadium
