Alonso and Arbeloa — Alonso, Alves, and Arbeloa in El clasco match | Picture Contributed

Xabi Alonso begins his Premier League managerial journey on Monday evening as Chelsea travel to Craven Cottage for a highly anticipated West London derby against Fulham.

The fixture marks Alonso’s first competitive match in charge of Chelsea, with the Spaniard taking over after the club’s disappointing 10th-place finish last season. He faces an immediate test against a Fulham side also entering a new era under Álvaro Arbeloa.

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The encounter carries an added storyline because Alonso and Arbeloa know each other well from their playing days. The former teammates will now stand on opposite sides of the touchline, with both managers eager to begin their Premier League careers with victory.

For Alonso, the match is the first opportunity to put his ideas into practice in a competitive environment. Chelsea have reshaped their squad during the summer, bringing in experienced players and fresh attacking options as the club attempts to move on from a difficult campaign.

Fulham, meanwhile, will look to make home advantage count and give Arbeloa a winning start. The Cottagers finished last season level on 52 points with Chelsea, with the Blues finishing above them only on goal difference.

Recent meetings between the London rivals have also produced competitive encounters, making this opening-day derby difficult to predict.

With both clubs beginning new managerial chapters, the result at Craven Cottage could provide an early indication of what lies ahead for Alonso and Arbeloa.