Sports Mole takes an in-depth look at how Chelsea could line up for Thursday’s Conference League clash with Panathinaikos.
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca is expected to make wholesale changes to his starting lineup for Thursday’s Conference League clash against Panathinaikos in Greece.
The Blues, who lost 2-1 away against Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday, will be without Cole Palmer, Romeo Lavia and Wesley Fofana as they have all been left out of the club’s squad for the league phase of the competition.
Filip Jorgensen was absent from the defeat at Liverpool due to a head injury sustained on international duty with Denmark Under-21s earlier this month, but recent reports claim that the goalkeeper is hopeful of returning to the matchday squad on Thursday.
Pending a late fitness check, the 22-year-old could replace Robert Sanchez between the sticks, while Reece James – who made his first appearance of the season against Liverpool after a lengthy spell out injured – could be rested as Chelsea look to manage his workload, with Malo Gusto or Axel Disasi set to start at right-back.
After serving a one-game suspension last weekend, Marc Cucurella is in contention to return, but Renato Veiga could be recalled instead to operate at left-back as Tosin Adarabioyo, Levi Colwill and Benoit Badiashile all battle for starts in central defence.
In the absence of Lavia, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Cesare Casadei will be pushing to start in centre-midfield, while Enzo Fernandez could also get some minutes under his belt after beginning as a substitute against Liverpool.
Pedro Neto and Christopher Nkunku were both on target in Chelsea’s 4-2 opening win over Gent in the Conference League three weeks ago and they could both return to the starting lineup on Thursday, while Joao Felix and Mykhailo Mudryk are also in contention to play in attack.
Chelsea possible starting lineup: Jorgensen; Disasi, Tosin, Badiashile, Veiga; Casadei, Dewsbury-Hall; Neto, Felix, Mudryk; Nkunku
> Click here to see how Panathinaikos could line up for this contest
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