Sports Mole takes an in-depth look at how Chelsea could line up for Saturday’s Premier League clash with Brighton & Hove Albion.
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca is expected to recall several of his favoured first-team stars for Saturday’s Premier League clash against Brighton & Hove Albion at Stamford Bridge.
Marasca made a total of 11 changes for the thumping 5-0 win at home to Barrow in the EFL Cup third round on Tuesday night, but the Italian is set to revert to the side that beat West Ham United 3-0 in the Premier League last weekend.
Malo Gusto returned from injury to play the first 45 minutes against Barrow and he could be fit to start again at right-back on Saturday, potentially joining Wesley Fofana, Levi Colwill and Marc Cucurella in the back four that protects Robert Sanchez in goal.
Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez are both expected to be recalled in centre-midfield at the expense of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Cesare Casadei, while Cole Palmer is set to replace Joao Felix in the number 10 role.
Wingers Pedro Neto and Mykhaylo Mudryk were both given run-outs from the first whistle against Barrow, but they could lose their starting spots to Jadon Sancho and Noni Madueke, the latter has started each of Chelsea’s last four league games on the right flank.
Christopher Nkunku scored a superb hat-trick as a central striker in the midweek win over Barrow, but Maresca is set to recall Nicolas Jackson, who scored a brace against West Ham last weekend.
One first-team player who remains unavailable for selection is captain Reece James as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury, while Romeo Lavia is doubtful with a thigh problem.
Chelsea possible starting lineup: Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Colwill, Cucurella; Fernandez, Caicedo; Madueke, Palmer, Sancho; Jackson
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