What Chelsea Fans Wanted vs What They Got Against Fulham
If you spent any time nosing around Chelsea message boards or social media before the recent clash with Fulham, you’d have seen all sorts of debates about the Chelsea starting lineup. Everyone has an opinion, and fans didn’t hold back. But when the team sheets dropped on April 20, it was manager Mauricio Pochettino’s word that became law—at least for kickoff.
The official lineup was pretty straightforward: Robert Sanchez held his place in goal. The back four? Reece James returned from injury, partnered by Trevoh Chalobah, Levi Colwill, and Marc Cucurella. In midfield, there was no surprise seeing Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez anchoring things. Up front, it was a young and lively attack—Noni Madueke, Cole Palmer (who’s become an instant favorite), Pedro Neto, and Nicolas Jackson.
This eleven was a blend of reliable names and a few bold calls—especially trusting Reece James from the start after his spells out. But as always, Chelsea fans had their own tweaks in mind. Suggestions for Malo Gusto’s inclusion instead of James were rampant, especially among those worried about fitness. In midfield, some wanted Romeo Lavia to get a look in, arguing his energy could’ve made the difference. Others even pitched the idea of moving Palmer deeper in midfield to open space for a more direct goal threat like Christopher Nkunku in attack—though Nkunku’s fitness has been a running question all year.
Defensively, supporters seemed generally satisfied, but there were still calls for Benoit Badiashile or even the highly-rated youngster Alfie Gilchrist to be considered. The truth is, everyone’s got their own ‘fantasy eleven,’ and it feels like Chelsea’s deep, varied squad means dozens of reasonable lineup mixes are possible and justified.
How the Game Unfolded—and Why Fans' Choices are Never Simple
When the whistle blew at Craven Cottage, though, the reality on the pitch was king. Chelsea started brightly, but Fulham—desperate for points—made life hard. It wasn’t the smooth ride fans wanted, and there was real tension when Fulham equalized in the second half after Palmer’s opener. That’s when the fans’ nerves really started jangling: would fresh legs, or a different lineup, have made things feel safer?
In the end, it hardly mattered. Pedro Neto, the unlikely hero this time, found the back of the net deep into stoppage time to give Chelsea the 2-1 win. All those ‘what ifs’ about lineups faded for a few moments as celebration took over—proof again that sometimes, managers see things fans don’t.
Still, don’t expect the lineup debates to disappear. As long as football keeps thrilling—and frustrating—Chelsea supporters, you can bet the next big game will see fresh calls for Gusto, Lavia, or whatever promising youngster caught the eye at Cobham that week. The victory against Fulham gave Pochettino something rare this season: a little breathing room. But the fan noise? That’s part of the fun—and the pressure—of managing at Stamford Bridge.