{"id":541655,"date":"2026-04-20T20:41:09","date_gmt":"2026-04-20T20:41:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/541655\/"},"modified":"2026-04-20T20:41:09","modified_gmt":"2026-04-20T20:41:09","slug":"chelsea-line-ups-for-brighton-as-alejandro-garnacho-agreement-reached-and-key-star-returns","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/541655\/","title":{"rendered":"Chelsea line-ups for Brighton as Alejandro Garnacho agreement reached and key star returns"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Our Chelsea writers discuss and debate the line-up they would choose for the trip to Brighton<\/p>\n<p>17:04, 20 Apr 2026Updated 17:23, 20 Apr 2026<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Alejandro Garnacho\" loading=\"eager\"  src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/0_GettyImages-2272121738.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p aria-label=\"Alejandro Garnacho disappointed from the bench after coming on for Chelsea in their defeat to Manchester United\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Alejandro Garnacho disappointed from the bench after coming on for Chelsea in their defeat to Manchester United(Image: James Gill &#8211; Danehouse)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">If you thought Saturday evening&#8217;s clash with Manchester United was a must-win for <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.football.london\/chelsea-fc\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">Chelsea<\/a>, then this one definitely is. The Blues ended up being beaten 1-0 by the Red Devils at Stamford Bridge in another massively disappointing result for <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.football.london\/all-about\/liam-rosenior\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">Liam Rosenior<\/a> and his players.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Liverpool&#8217;s win on Sunday afternoon means last season&#8217;s champions, who are fifth in the table as it stands, are now seven points ahead of Chelsea. The Blues can close that gap to four with a win in Brighton tomorrow evening, though Liverpool play their game in hand on Saturday afternoon at home to Crystal Palace.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Chelsea are without a goal in their last four league matches and Rosenior needs to somehow find a solution as <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.football.london\/chelsea-fc\/transfer-news\/cole-palmers-non-negotiable-hands-33796984\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">the toothless Blues<\/a> look to rediscover their killer touch in the final third. That could impact his team selection on Tuesday.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">FOLLOW OUR CHELSEA FB PAGE! <a aria-label=\"Latest Blues news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook pageLink opens in a new tab.\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/CFCFootball.London#\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\">Latest Blues news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">With that being said, Bobby Vincent and Jake Stokes discuss and debate what they would do regarding the XI if they were in Rosenior&#8217;s shoes.<\/p>\n<p>Bobby Vincent<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.football.london\/all-about\/robert-sanchez\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">Robert Sanchez<\/a>, of course, to continue in goal. Up against his former club, one of four Chelsea players I would choose who are in the same situation, it could be a busy evening for the Spanish goalkeeper down at the Amex Stadium.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">At right-back, I would continue with <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.football.london\/all-about\/malo-gusto\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">Malo Gusto<\/a> as captain <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.football.london\/all-about\/reece-james\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">Reece James<\/a> remains out with an injury. <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.football.london\/all-about\/wesley-fofana\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">Wesley Fofana<\/a> should be dropped, or rested &#8211; depending on how you want to look at it &#8211; from the back four with <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.football.london\/all-about\/trevoh-chalobah\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">Trevoh Chalobah<\/a> returning to fitness.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The ever-improving <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.football.london\/all-about\/jorrel-hato\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">Jorrel Hato<\/a> should start alongside Chalobah, with another former Brighton man <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.football.london\/all-about\/marc-cucurella\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">Marc Cucurella<\/a> on the left-hand side. Ex-Seagull <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.football.london\/all-about\/moises-caicedo\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">Moises Caicedo<\/a> should captain the side, anchoring the midfield alongside <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.football.london\/all-about\/romeo-lavia\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">Romeo Lavia<\/a> down on the south coast.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.football.london\/all-about\/cole-palmer\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">Cole Palmer<\/a> should start on the right-hand side, with Chelsea needing him to kick into life at some point, <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.football.london\/all-about\/enzo-fernandez\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">Enzo Fernandez<\/a> in the No.10 role and <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.football.london\/all-about\/pedro-neto\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">Pedro Neto<\/a>, the Blues&#8217; most impressive attacker against Man United, on the left wing.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.football.london\/all-about\/alejandro-garnacho\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">Alejandro Garnacho<\/a> did not impress when coming on in the first half against his former club on Saturday and should remain on the bench for this one. Fitness-permitting, <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.football.london\/all-about\/joao-pedro\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">Joao Pedro<\/a>, the fourth former Brighton man, has to start to give Chelsea the best opportunity to win such a significant match.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Bobby&#8217;s XI: Sanchez; Gusto, Chalobah, Hato, Cucurella; Lavia, Caicedo; Palmer, Fernandez, Neto; Joao Pedro<\/p>\n<p>Jake Stokes<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Rosenior could welcome a couple of big names back into the starting lineup on Tuesday night, giving Chelsea the boost they need to finally turn things around. Although the Blues boss doesn&#8217;t have much of a choice, Sanchez should remain between the sticks \u2013 he&#8217;ll be key at the Amex.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Chelsea only really need to make one change to the backline when they face Brighton. Chalobah should reunite with Fofana at centre-half, but that shouldn&#8217;t come at the expense of Hato, who&#8217;s been one of the very few players to actually impress over the last month or so.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Rosenior should also pack out the middle of the park, putting Caicedo and <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.football.london\/all-about\/andrey-santos\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">Andrey Santos<\/a> in the pivot, with Fernandez slightly more advanced. Chelsea have conceded far too many goals recently, so they&#8217;ll need to be compact and control the game.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Palmer and Neto should be deployed on the right and left wing, respectively, with Joao Pedro up top, assuming he passes the late fitness test. Garnacho was really disappointing at the weekend, so I&#8217;d like at least one of Jesse Derry or Ryan Kavuma-McQueen on the bench.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Jake&#8217;s XI: Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Chalobah, Hato; Caicedo, Santos; Palmer, Fernandez, Neto; Joao Pedro.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Our Chelsea writers discuss and debate the line-up they would choose for the trip to Brighton 17:04, 20&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":541656,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[33],"tags":[834,186704,219,218,107706,101,28174,56,54,55],"class_list":["post-541655","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-football","tag-alejandro-garnacho","tag-brighton-vs-chelsea","tag-chelsea","tag-football","tag-liam-rosenior","tag-sports","tag-trevoh-chalobah","tag-uk","tag-united-kingdom","tag-unitedkingdom"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/541655","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=541655"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/541655\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/541656"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=541655"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=541655"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=541655"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}