Chelsea Predicted XI vs Brentford: Lacroix Starts, Joao Pedro Out

Chelsea predicted XI vs Brentford: Maxence Lacroix returns as Joao Pedro misses out

Chelsea visit Brentford in the Premier League on Friday 18 September 2026, kicking off at 20:00 local time at the Gtech Community Stadium. Xabi Alonso is expected to recall £51 million summer signing Maxence Lacroix and hand Morgan Rogers a start as a number nine with Joao Pedro injured.

Fixture: Brentford vs Chelsea — Premier League, matchday five
Kick-off: 20:00 local time at the Gtech Community Stadium
Headline selection: Maxence Lacroix returns in a back three after arriving for £51 million
Missing: Joao Pedro withdrew from Brazil's squad with injury; Moises Caicedo is out injured
Up front: Morgan Rogers is tipped to start as the number nine
At stake: Three points before the international break after a disappointing home draw with Hull City

Confirmed line-ups

The source article is a predicted XI, so no official team sheet has been released. The names below are the expected Chelsea line-up; Brentford's team is not covered in the source.

Chelsea (3-4-2-1 — inferred from the shape described)

Starting XI: Emiliano Martinez; Levi Colwill, Maxence Lacroix, Wesley Fofana; Malo Gusto, Reece James, Romeo Lavia, Jorrel Hato; Cole Palmer, Pedro Neto; Morgan Rogers.

Substitutes: Not specified in the source article.

Selection notes

Emiliano Martinez keeps his place despite conceding seven goals in his last three Chelsea games. Maxence Lacroix, the £51 million summer arrival, returns to the heart of the defence as Xabi Alonso reverts from the four-man backline used against Hull City to a back three. Levi Colwill and Wesley Fofana retain their spots alongside him.

Malo Gusto and Jorrel Hato are expected at right and left wing-back respectively, with Reece James dropping into a double pivot next to Romeo Lavia because Moises Caicedo is injured. Cole Palmer stays on the right flank and Pedro Neto comes in on the left.

Joao Pedro could miss the match entirely after withdrawing from Brazil's squad for the international break with injury, so Morgan Rogers may be entrusted with the number nine role.

Injury and availability

Two Chelsea players are affected. Moises Caicedo is out injured and is not expected to feature in midfield, which is why Reece James is earmarked for the double pivot. Joao Pedro withdrew from Brazil's squad for the international break because of injury and could sit out the Brentford game, opening the door for Morgan Rogers to start up front.

Why Alonso is switching back to a back three

The move tells you what Alonso thinks of his defensive record. Chelsea used a four-man backline against Hull City and drew at Stamford Bridge; the source notes the team "have not been very solid defensively" this season. A back three of Levi Colwill, Maxence Lacroix and Wesley Fofana is the shape Alonso has used more often, and it gives the wing-backs licence to push high without leaving two centre-backs exposed.

The knock-on effect is the midfield. With Moises Caicedo unavailable, Reece James slots in beside Romeo Lavia as the ball-progressor and screen. James is a right-back by trade, but the double pivot lets Alonso keep his captain on the pitch and preserve four bodies across the middle with Malo Gusto and Jorrel Hato providing the width.

Up front, the absence of Joao Pedro changes the profile of the attack. Morgan Rogers as a number nine is a mobile, dropping false-nine option rather than a penalty-box focal point, which should suit Cole Palmer drifting inside from the right and Pedro Neto attacking the left channel. It also means Chelsea's build-up will be more fluid and less direct than it would be with Joao Pedro holding the ball up.

Talking points

Is dropping back into a three the right call against Brentford, or is it an over-correction after one bad result at home to Hull City?
Reece James in central midfield is a big ask; if Brentford press the double pivot, Chelsea's build-up could get ragged without Caicedo.
Morgan Rogers as a number nine is unproven — should Alonso instead move Palmer central and start an orthodox striker?
Emiliano Martinez has conceded seven in three; does he deserve to keep his place purely on reputation?

What happens next

Chelsea play Brentford at 20:00 local time at the Gtech Community Stadium on Friday 18 September 2026 in matchday five. Three points would send Alonso's side into the international break on a positive note, giving him the short hiatus to continue tweaking his tactics. Anything less reignites scrutiny of a defence that has leaked seven goals in Martinez's last three games.

Frequently asked questions

Is Maxence Lacroix starting for Chelsea vs Brentford?

Yes, the predicted Chelsea XI has Lacroix returning in the heart of a back three after his £51 million summer move, alongside Levi Colwill and Wesley Fofana.

Why is Joao Pedro not playing for Chelsea vs Brentford?

Joao Pedro withdrew from Brazil's squad for the international break due to injury and could miss the Brentford game, so Morgan Rogers may start as the number nine.