Xabi Alonso’s remit is a simple one ahead of a crucial season for Chelsea.There can be no repeat of last season’s tenth-placed finish and this season’s European hiatus must serve merely as a blip.Xabi Alonso has quickly got to grips with his Chelsea squad in pre-seasonGettyAfter that, a credible top four challenge is expected of Chelsea‘s expensively assembled squad.Chelsea and Alonso join forces at a time where both parties are in dire need of stability.The Blues parted ways with Enzo Maresca on New Year’s Day while the Spaniard was ousted as Real Madrid boss just 11 days after the Italian’s departure.Roll on seven months and a new era is underway at Stamford Bridge – yes, another one – but this time it feels that Chelsea might just have made their most impressive managerial appointment in recent memory.The Blues are without a domestic trophy since their FA Cup success in 2018 and Alonso will be tasked with ending that trophy drought.But first things first…the Premier League.The Blues kick off the new season with a mouthwatering west London derby against Fulham at Craven Cottage on Monday, August 24 – live on talkSPORT.The match pits Alonso against the man who replaced him in the Real Madrid dugout, Alvaro Arbeloa – now manager of the Cottagers.Re-shaping the squadAlonso will have some familiar faces to call upon in his side’s opener but may opt to utilise some of the club’s younger stars.Chelsea’s bloated squad still needs some maintenance with players expected to either be sold or loaned out before the end of the transfer window.Nicolas Jackson is back in contention for Chelsea after his season-long loan at Bayern MunichGettyDanny Welbeck is already up and running with his new teammates whilst Mykhailo Mudryk is back in contention after his suspensionGettyFor now, Alonso has the unenviable task of choosing a starting XI from the huge number of players at his disposal.Defence and attack provide Alonso with arguably his biggest selection headache.Reece James, Levi Colwill, Maxence Lacroix and Malo Gusto provide one back four option.Wesley Fofana, Malang Sarr, Pep Chavarria, Tosin Adarabioyo, Axel Disasi, Aaron Anselmino and Marco Palestra provide further options for the Spaniard.And in attack, Chelsea are blessed with a host of attacking talent in Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and Joao Pedro.Meanwhile, Danny Welbeck, Pedro Neto, Estevao, Mykhailo Mudryk and Nicolas Jackson will be staking their case for a starting role.Alonso has some big decisions to make before selecting his first Chelsea XIGettyHow will Chelsea line-up against Fulham?With just one more friendly match before the short trip to Craven Cottage, Alonso will hope to have new £117m signing Rogers available to ensure he gets some game time before the big kick off.The same can be said of Lacroix who, like Rogers, reached the semi-final stage at this summer’s World Cup.There will be little confusion on who will start between the posts with Roberto Sanchez a shoe-in to continue as Chelsea’s no.1 at Fulham ahead of Mike Penders.Alonso is set to opt for his tried and trusted back three with Fofana, Colwill and Lacroix marshalling the Blues’ back line.In midfield, Alonso could hand new Italian wing-back Palestra his first taste of Premier League football on the left of Chelsea’s midfield with Neto occupying the right.That leaves Moises Caicedo in the middle alongside fit again Romeo Lavia who will deputise while Enzo Fernandez’s future at the club remains unclear.The Blues could line-up with this starting XI for their Premier League opener at FulhamUp top, England duo Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers will sit in just behind Joao Pedro who will once again lead the line for the Blues this season.