Chelsea name Emiliano Martinez in starting XI for Brighton clash

Chelsea have named Emiliano Martinez in their starting XI to face Brighton & Hove Albion, with the goalkeeper included from the start just two hours after joining the club.

Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso announced his team for the Premier League meeting, which is due to take place shortly at Stamford Bridge. The match is the second round of the Premier League season.

Martinez’s selection is the main feature of the line-up, as the Argentina international makes his first start for Chelsea after completing his move to the club only two hours before the match. His inclusion gives him an immediate role in the team for the home fixture against Brighton.

Chelsea will line up with three forwards, as Pedro Neto, Joao Pedro and Morgan Rogers are named in the attacking positions. The trio will lead the side’s efforts in front of an midfield four featuring Malo Gusto, Cole Palmer, Romeo Lavia and Jorrel Hato.

The complete Chelsea team is:

Goalkeeper: Emiliano Martinez.

Defenders: Wesley Fofana, Maxence Lacroix, Levi Colwill.

Midfielders: Malo Gusto, Cole Palmer, Romeo Lavia, Jorrel Hato.

Forwards: Pedro Neto, Joao Pedro, Morgan Rogers.

The selection means Chelsea will use a structure built around three defenders, four midfielders and three attackers. Martinez will be protected by Fofana, Lacroix and Colwill, while Gusto and Hato occupy the wide midfield roles.

Palmer and Lavia form the central midfield pairing, with Neto, Joao Pedro and Rogers selected as the attacking trio. Their inclusion gives Chelsea a forward line containing three players rather than a separate lone striker.

The game at Stamford Bridge comes after Chelsea opened their Premier League campaign with a victory over Fulham. They won that first-round match 3-2, and now face Brighton in their second league fixture.

Alonso has therefore opted to keep the side’s attacking shape unchanged in the contest against Brighton, while making Martinez’s first start for the club the defining change around the team. The goalkeeper’s arrival and immediate selection are the central talking point before the match begins.