"Three Takeaways from Chelsea's Victory Over Fulham: Enzo Fernandez's Promising Future and a Key Transfer Message"

CHELSEA kicked off their Premier League campaign and the Xabi Alonso era with a 3-2 win at neighbours Fulham.

The exciting trio of Cole Palmer, Joao Pedro and Morgan Rogers were all on display – and all firing.

But Robert Sanchez’s blunders cost the Blues two goals at the other end.

SunSport Chelsea reporter Lloyd Canfield gives his three talking points from Craven Cottage…

CURSE CANCELLED

Chelsea have grown from last season, it seems.

Last season they would have thrown this away and bottled it with a red card in the second half.

They’ve spent money, they’ve got new players, a new manager, a new system, and it seems like things are different this season.

One of those things that has changed is this to that.

His , just as full of quality.

He showed the type of player he is, the type of complete striker he has become since moving to Chelsea.

Fixtures Results Table

Friday 28 August

Palace

20:00

EPL

Man City

Saturday 29 August

Liverpool

12:30

EPL

Forest

Bournemouth

15:00

EPL

Everton

Coventry

15:00

EPL

Hull

Spurs

17:30

EPL

Newcastle

Monday 24 August

Sunday 23 August

Saturday 22 August

English Premier League Pld Pts GD W D L Form

1

1

3

4

1

0

0

2

1

3

3

1

0

0

3

1

3

3

1

0

0

4

1

3

2

1

0

0

5

1

3

2

1

0

0

6

1

3

1

1

0

0

7

1

3

1

1

0

0

8

1

3

1

1

0

0

And there is clearly no more curse, because he is the one who breaks the spell.

REPLACE ROB & TRUST JOSH

One thing they do need to sort out is Robert Sanchez in goal.

This was a really disappointing display.

Emiliano Martinez is out there – Aston Villa have signed Zion Suzuki. Pay the money!

If you want to be a serious team this season and compete for the title, and need to sign a serious top-class goalkeeper.

One player who looked like he could compete in this division is Josh Acheampong.

He hasn’t been given too many minutes since he broke through from the .

He was brilliant at Fulham.

Among the three defenders, in terms of actually defending, Acheampong was the best of the three.

He’s still young, he can grow into this team, he can develop in this team.

He’s a brilliant young defender who wasn’t given the opportunity to play all that much last season, but I think he should be from now on.

NOT THE ENZ AFTER ALL?

And the last talking point: is there an Enzo Fernandez problem?

He was who wasn’t supporting Chelsea, but cheered by his own fans.

He was okay when he came on, he wasn’t exceptional.

But the reception showed that he can still be accepted at Stamford Bridge.

If he decides he wants to play for , that future is still there for him.

What was interesting is that he was benched for Romeo Lavia in the absence of Moises Caicedo.

So it looks like, at this point, Caicedo, Lavia and Reece James are all ahead of him in the midfield pecking order.

That is somewhat concerning.

It’d be interesting to know Alonso’s reasoning – if it’s a personnel thing or if it’s a personal thing between Alonso and Fernandez.

It remains to be seen whether he’ll stay – if he wants to stay – or if that move to Manchester City will happen before the window concludes.

But Chelsea have grown.

A good game, a good win, three goals.

The most exciting front three in the Premier League, for my money, was on display, and it looks that way going into this season.

But they’ve got issues to fix if they want to be competing at the very top and show just how much they’ve grown.