Team news: 6 players could miss Fulham vs Chelsea as Alonso targets good start

This story has significance for readers across Kenya and beyond.

- Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso faces injury and suspension concerns ahead of his first Premier League match in charge of the Blues

- Danny Welbeck is a doubt for the West London derby after missing training days due to a minor fitness issue

- Fulham will also be without two players as Alonso's former teammate, Alvaro Arbeloa, prepares his side for the season opener

Chelsea head into their Premier League opener against Fulham this evening with up to four players potentially unavailable, as Xabi Alonso begins his top-flight managerial tenure with a West London derby at Craven Cottage.

Who did Chelsea sign?

The former Bayer Leverkusen coach oversaw a busy transfer window at Stamford Bridge, bringing in eight new signings.

Among the arrivals are Danny Welbeck, Jordan Henderson, Geovany Quenda, Maxence Lacroix and Morgan Rogers. Marc Cucurella was the most notable departure heading out of the club.

Who will miss Fulham vs Chelsea?

When asked about Welbeck's availability ahead of kick-off, Alonso indicated the striker could still feature.

"Danny can be involved; he just needed a couple of days not training that much because of a little thing. We expect him to be back [training] on Saturday. We need to go day by day, but that is the plan at the moment. With the other players, let's see."

Henderson remains a concern after sustaining a wrist injury during the World Cup in July and is still working his way back to fitness.

Emmanuel Emegha, who returned to training last week following a hamstring problem that disrupted much of his pre-season preparation, is also doubtful.

Centre-back Aaron Anselmino is sidelined after picking up a hamstring injury during Chelsea's final pre-season friendly on their tour of Australia and Asia. Wesley Fofana is unavailable through suspension, serving a ban stemming from a red card he received in last season's final league fixture away at Sunderland.

The hosts face a shorter injury list heading into the evening fixture. Arbeloa confirmed that Tom Cairney underwent minor surgery earlier this month, ruling him out, while Joachim Andersen is suspended and will also miss the match.

Chelsea's oldest signings in history

We also highlighted facts about Chelsea's oldest signings in history, with the recent acquisitions of Danny Welbeck and Jordan Henderson signalling a notable change in the club's transfer strategy under new manager Xabi Alonso.

As the team embarks on a significant overhaul, the blend of experience and youth may prove pivotal in navigating the challenges of the upcoming season.

Source: TUKO.co.ke

Reporting originally appeared via TUKO. Read the full source for additional context.