Chelsea make the lengthy trip up to the Stadium of Light on Sunday afternoon with the Blues looking to build on last weekend's 2-0 victory over Manchester United

Xabi Alonso is facing some tough decisions for this weekend's trip to Sunderland.

The Chelsea manager really enjoyed what he saw from his team - particularly in the second half - in the weekend's win over Manchester United. After a lacklustre opening 45 minutes from the hosts at Stamford Bridge, Alonso's side ramped up the intensity and quality in the second period and put United to the sword.

On Sunday, a different sort of challenge awaits the Blues. Chelsea make the lengthy journey to Wearside and to the Stadium of Light to take on Sunderland, who sit rock bottom of the Premier League table going into matchday 10 of the 2026/27 campaign.

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Alonso might want to make a couple changes to his side despite getting the job done on Saturday afternoon. The Chelsea manager has been boosted with the likes of Emiliano Martinez, Aaron Anselmino and Jordan Henderson all returning to training this week.

Martinez is back on the grass earlier than expected following surgery on his fractured jaw a couple of weeks ago. In order for the Argentine goalkeeper to return, he is wearing a protective mask on his lower face. We will hear more from Alonso during Friday's press conference on whether Martinez could be involved on Sunday but the Chelsea manager might be tempted to throw him straight back in.

That would, though, feel a tad harsh on Mike Penders, who has played really well in the last two games. After the Belgian shot-stopper scored an own goal on his full Premier League debut against Tottenham, he responded with two excellent performances against Liverpool and then Man United.

Alonso might also be tempted to make a change on the left-hand side of defence. Marco Palestra struggled on his first Premier League start against Man United at the weekend. While it was by no means a poor performance, Palestra was caught out on a couple of occasions down his side.

Pep Chavarria returned to the Chelsea squad on Saturday afternoon and he could replace Palestra as the left-sided full-back/wing-back. Prior to the injury he sustained last month, Chavarria was really starting to settle at Stamford Bridge and was improving with every performance.

Henderson being back in the squad will be a big boost for Alonso but the 36-year-old may have to settle for a spot on the bench at the Stadium of Light. Romeo Lavia was outstanding - and arguably the best player on the pitch - in the win over United.

Lavia has been quietly impressive since the start of the season but Saturday's performance was his best yet. The 22-year-old deserves to keep his place in midfield, even with Henderson returning from the illness that kept him out at the weekend.

Estevao Willian, like Lavia, will be hoping to keep his place in the side after an impressive display on Saturday. The win over United was Estevao's first league start of the season - and under Alonso - and it has left Chelsea supporters desperate to see more from the 19-year-old Brazil international.

Pedro Neto was used as somewhat of a false nine in Chelsea's most recent outing and it will be interesting to see if Alonso will use the Portuguese in a similar role again. Danny Welbeck and Emmanuel Emegha are waiting in the wings for a chance.

Meanwhile, Joao Pedro (thigh), Maxence Lacroix (hamstring) and Reece James (knee) are all set to miss the trip to Sunderland.

Possible Chelsea XI: Martinez; Acheampong, Fofana, Colwill, Chavarria; Caicedo, Lavia; Estevao, Palmer, Rogers; Neto