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The latest Chelsea team news, injury update and predicted XI that will take on Aston Villa this weekend
Chelsea have lost just one game in November so far, and they will be looking to strengthen their hold on third place, and possibly overtake Manchester City into second, when they face Aston Villa this weekend at Stamford Bridge.
It has been a remarkable start to life in West London for Maresca, who has not only transformed the team’s fortunes on the pitch, but has also helped rebuild the perception among the fanbase. The anger and revolt surrounding the owners have now quietened, thanks to the team's success.
There is now a growing sense that this team is heading in the right direction. For me, the growth of this team began last season away at Aston Villa, under Mauricio Pochettino, so it will be interesting to see how they measure up this time around. In what should be a fascinating game, here is the team we anticipate Maresca will name, considering they were involved in Europa Conference League football on Thursday night.
Goalkeeper and Defenders
Robert Sanchez is likely to return to goal after being on the bench for the Conference League game. While there is pressure on him, the manager is expected to stick with him. Malo Gusto missed the Leicester game but has returned to training, and with Reece James injured, Gusto faces little competition for the right-back spot. There have even been some calls from Chelsea fans to sell James after his latest injury setback, despite the club captain playing a key role in leading the side to Champions League glory just three years ago.
Marc Cucurella, who was also rested in the Conference League, is expected to return to the team, alongside the formidable duo of Wesley Fofana and Levi Colwill. There is a growing belief among Blues fans that the latter could go on to skipper the side in the future.
Midfielders
The heart of the Chelsea team is where it gets tricky. Two players are certain to start at this point: Cole Palmer, who hasn't been as sharp as last season but continues to provide moments of brilliance and should have scored last weekend, and Moisés Caicedo, who is now operating at the level Chelsea expected when they broke the bank for him. Caicedo has been brilliant and is emerging as one of the players genuinely leading this team.
That leaves one spot, and it will likely go to Enzo Fernández. The Argentine midfielder has worked hard and is expected to retain his place just ahead of Romeo Lavia. The former was controversially handed the captain’s armband over James last summer, despite several of his teammates unfollowing him on social media after his involvement in the Argentina side’s much publicised team bus incident.
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Forwards
Jadon Sancho marked his return with two assists in Heidenheim last night, but Noni Madueke and Pedro Neto will likely occupy the wide positions, with Nicolas Jackson retaining his spot as the number nine. The Blues continue to be linked with a January move to bolster their forward line, but for now Jackson is very much Maresca’s main man to lead the attack.
Sanchez; Gusto, Cucurella, Colwill, Fofana; Fernández, Caicedo, Palmer; Madueke, Neto, Jackson.
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