Here is how our Chelsea reporters think Xabi Alonso should set his Blues side up for Sunday afternoon's trip to the Stadium of Light to take on Sunderland

Just 168 days after Chelsea were left distraught at the Stadium of Light after missing out on European qualification on the final day of the 2025/26 campaign, the Blues return to Wearside on Sunday afternoon to take on Sunderland.

That Sunday in May was one Chelsea supporters will be desperate to forget in a hurry. It summed up, in many ways, a really disappointing season for the Blues. But there is newfound hope at Stamford Bridge.

Xabi Alonso's side go into this weekend's 10th round of Premier League fixtures sitting fourth in the top-flight table. A win on Sunday would make it four wins from their last five league fixtures.

After last weekend's 2-0 win over Manchester United, Alonso is facing some tough decisions regarding his line-up.

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With that being said, our Chelsea reporters Bobby Vincent and Jake Stokes give their thoughts on what Alonso should do - and are in agreement when it comes to Estevao Willian's place in the side:

Bobby Vincent

Emiliano Martinez returned to Chelsea training this week. Even though Mike Penders has done well in recent matches, I'd be keen for Martinez, the Blues' No.1 goalkeeper, to come straight back into Alonso's team.

Injuries in defence mean Alonso is limited in what he can do in that area of the pitch. The only change I would make to the back four is to bring Pep Chavarria in on the left-hand side in place of Marco Palestra. It's no slight on Palestra, but this sort of game might suit Chavarria a bit more, and the former can be used from the bench in the second half.

Romeo Lavia should continue in the midfield despite Jordan Henderson recovering from illness. Moises Caicedo alongside him, with Cole Palmer in the No.10 position.

Estevao deserves to keep his place on the right wing after dazzling against Man United last weekend. On the other flank will be Morgan Rogers. The No.9 position is a little bit more up for debate, but Pedro Neto may well be used as a makeshift striker again.

Bobby's XI (4-2-3-1): Martinez; Acheampong, Fofana, Colwill, Chavarria; Lavia, Caicedo; Estevao, Palmer, Rogers; Neto.

Jake Stokes

Although Emi Martinez returned to action at Cobham Training Ground this week, Mike Penders should remain between the sticks. The 21-year-old goalkeeper has done well in his colleague's absence, and he's done more than enough to earn another start.

By starting the 34-year-old shot-stopper instead, Xabi Alonso could actually put Chelsea in a vulnerable position. Martinez, who's still clearly recovering from the surgery on a fractured jaw, could very easily be targeted by the Sunderland players, maliciously or not, planting a seed of doubt in the mind of both Martinez and his teammates whenever there's a 50-50 to contend.

At the back, Pep Chavarria should replace Marco Palestra, with Levi Colwill, Josh Acheampong, and Wesley Fofana keeping their places in the starting lineup. In midfield, Romeo Lavia and Moises Caicedo should remain in the double pivot; they were superb last weekend against Manchester United.

Up top, I'd actually like to see Cole Palmer lead the frontline, even if it's in a false-nine role, dropping off the centre-halves and linking play. Obviously, there's the risk that he could become isolated and Chelsea lose a possible outlet who can stretch the backline, but I think it's a risk worth taking.

In doing so, the Blues will be a lot stronger out of possession, with Pedro Neto, a workhorse, able to provide greater security on the wings, doubling up with Acheampong. By also starting Estevao Willian and Morgan Rogers, Chelsea can always shuffle things about if it doesn't work as planned.

Ultimately, I think Chavarria needs to return to the backline, and Neto needs to return to the right wing – whether that's as a winger or a wing-back – just to give the Blues a bit more stability. Regis Le Bris would have seen the problems the Red Devils caused Chelsea down the wing last weekend.

Jake's starting lineup to face Sunderland: Mike Penders; Pep Chavarria, Levi Colwill, Wesley Fofana, Josh Acheampong; Romeo Lavia, Moises Caicedo; Morgan Rogers, Estevao Willian, Pedro Neto; Cole Palmer.