Confirmed Chelsea line-up (3-4-2-1) vs Hull City, Lavia and James start
September 12, 2026 19:01
Xabi Alonso named his starting eleven for Chelsea’s Premier League meeting with Hull City at Stamford Bridge on September 12, 2026. The manager set the team up in a 3-4-2-1 shape, with Emiliano Martinez in goal and a back three of Wesley Fofana, Levi Colwill and Jorrel Hato.
Reece James captains the side and partners Romeo Lavia in central midfield. Pedro Neto and Malo Gusto are deployed as the wing‑backs, while Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers play behind Joao Pedro as the focal striker.
KEY CONTEXT
- Chelsea enter the game with six points from their opening three league fixtures of the season.
- Newly promoted Hull City have not conceded so far in the campaign, a defensive record that presents a clear challenge for Alonso’s selection.
- The chosen 3-4-2-1 emphasizes a back three and wide players providing both defensive cover and attacking width.
WHY IT MATTERS
The starting XI shows how Alonso intends to approach a stubborn defensive opponent: a three-man defensive base with wing‑backs supplying width, and two attacking midfielders supporting a lone striker. With Hull still without a conceded goal this season, the effectiveness of Chelsea’s midfield partnership (James and Lavia) and the wing‑backs (Neto and Gusto) will be decisive in creating chances and breaking down Hull’s defence.
WHAT TO WATCH NEXT
- Can Chelsea’s selected midfield and wing‑backs unlock Hull’s defence, which has not conceded this season?
- How the back three of Fofana, Colwill and Hato cope with Hull’s attacking threats and whether Martinez is called into action.
- The impact of Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers in the number 10 roles behind Joao Pedro and whether that trio can produce a breakthrough.
KEY FACTS
- Formation: 3-4-2-1.
- Confirmed XI: Emiliano Martinez; Wesley Fofana, Levi Colwill, Jorrel Hato; Pedro Neto, Reece James (captain), Romeo Lavia, Malo Gusto; Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers; Joao Pedro.
- Chelsea had six points from three league games at the time of the team announcement.
- Hull City had not conceded in the ongoing season up to this fixture.