Chelsea name unchanged side for Everton trip, Rogers and Pedro start

Chelsea travel to Everton on Saturday for a 12:30pm kick-off at Hill Dickinson Stadium, with Morgan Rogers and Joao Pedro both starting in an unchanged line-up. Xabi Alonso's side thumped Bournemouth 5-1 last weekend and sit level on points with the Toffees in the early Premier League table.

  • Fixture: Everton vs Chelsea, Premier League matchday seven
  • Kick-off: Saturday, 12:30pm local time
  • Venue: Hill Dickinson Stadium
  • League positions: Fifth (Chelsea) vs sixth (Everton)
  • Headline selection: Morgan Rogers and Joao Pedro start in an unchanged XI
  • Last result: Chelsea 5-1 Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea XI vs Everton

Chelsea (3-4-3)

Starting XI: Emiliano Martinez; Josh Acheampong, Maxence Lacroix, Levi Colwill; Pedro Neto, Moises Caicedo, Jordan Henderson, Pep Chavarria; Cole Palmer, Joao Pedro, Morgan Rogers

Substitutes: Not specified in the source.

Selection notes

Emiliano Martinez keeps his place despite not yet keeping a clean sheet for Chelsea. Josh Acheampong continues in the heart of the back three after a decent showing against Bournemouth, with Maxence Lacroix and Levi Colwill alongside him.

Moises Caicedo's return to full fitness is a welcome boost for Xabi Alonso. With only one game per week, the Ecuadorian is expected to start. He is joined by Jordan Henderson, who bagged two goals in the 5-1 rout of Bournemouth.

Pedro Neto continues at right wing-back and Pep Chavarria on the left. Up front, Cole Palmer stays on the right, new summer signing Morgan Rogers on the left, and Joao Pedro – also a brace scorer last weekend – leads the line. No injuries or suspensions are reported.

Why Alonso sticks with the same XI

Alonso has little reason to change a formula that produced five goals against Bournemouth. The back three of Josh Acheampong, Maxence Lacroix and Levi Colwill offers a blend of youth and recovery pace, which suits a lunchtime away trip where Everton will likely press high early.

In midfield, Moises Caicedo returning to full fitness is significant. His presence allows Jordan Henderson to push forward, as he did so effectively against Bournemouth. Henderson's two-goal haul was an outlier, but it shows Alonso wants runners arriving late in the box.

The front three of Cole Palmer, Joao Pedro and Morgan Rogers is fluid. Rogers has made a rapid start to life at Chelsea, and his direct running on the left should stretch Everton's backline. With Pedro Neto and Pep Chavarria providing width from wing-back, Chelsea will aim to dominate territory.

Talking points

  • Should Emiliano Martinez be under pressure after failing to keep a clean sheet since joining? A lunchtime away trip is a tough place to change that record.
  • Jordan Henderson scored twice last week, but can he replicate that output? Starting him again suggests Alonso values his experience over younger legs.
  • Morgan Rogers has made a rapid start – is he now undroppable? His directness gives Chelsea something different to Palmer's guile.
  • With only one game per week, Chelsea's lack of rotation could be a risk. Everton will test their fitness in a high-intensity 12:30pm kick-off.

What happens next

Chelsea face Everton on Saturday at 12:30pm local time at Hill Dickinson Stadium. A win would lift them above the Toffees and maintain pressure on the early pacesetters. Defeat would raise questions about Alonso's decision to keep an unchanged side after a dominant display.

Frequently asked questions

Is Morgan Rogers starting for Chelsea vs Everton?

Yes. The source states Rogers is in contention to feature on the left flank and is expected to start in an unchanged side.

Who is in goal for Chelsea against Everton?

Emiliano Martinez is expected to retain his place in goal, despite not yet keeping a clean sheet for the club.

What time is Everton vs Chelsea kick-off?

The match kicks off at 12:30pm local time on Saturday at Hill Dickinson Stadium, as matchday seven gets underway.

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