Alonso claims familiar face 'makes the team better' as Chelsea head to Fulham

While Joao Pedro, Cole Palmer and new signing Morgan Rogers are more likely to dominate the headlines, Alonso has been talking up the importance of skipper Reece James.

As a graduate of Chelsea’s academy, James is a firm fan favourite and has been tipped to play on the right of a back three should the Spaniard deploy that system.

Having made his name as a right-back, the England man can also play in central midfield or at wing-back — and that versatility has impressed his manager.

“He's flexible in his game, but he needs to feel important,” said Alonso. “I think that's the main thing.

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“Not just because of the role he has as a captain, but also because of the quality he gives.

“Wherever he plays, as a right-back or as a midfielder, normally he makes the team better because of his quality, because of his game intelligence, his experience, his composure with the ball.

“So it's good that we have players that can play in different positions. Not just him, other players as well.

“I see him in a good mood, in a good mindset. For sure, the club means so much to him. We want to have a good start, a fresh start with good momentum.”

James, 26, was hampered by a hamstring injury last term but still managed to make 39 appearances in all competitions, scoring twice and providing seven assists along the way.

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Provided he can stay fully fit, which proved to be a problem at the World Cup, Alonso has clearly earmarked James for a major role in his side — regardless of where he plays.

Another player troubled by injury in 2025-26 was Palmer, who missed out on Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for the tournament in North America due to a dip in form.

But with a full pre-season behind him, Alonso is confident the 24-year-old star can get back to his best.

The Blues boss said: “Cole is determined to enjoy his football. He wants to be fit. He wants to feel healthy. He wants to have a good connection with the players around him.

“I've said that if we have this Cole and he feels that flow in the game and connects well with the players, I'm sure his level is top-class, world-class I would say, and that he will have a great season.

“He has gone through a difficult period with the injury and now he's working really hard to have the prevention not to have to feel those symptoms.

“Since the first day, he's been working really hard to avoid that.”

With a new manager in the dugout and fresh faces galore, Chelsea will be determined to get off to a flying start this evening.

But as Manchester United and Tottenham have already discovered, big-money signings do not always hit the ground running.

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