Enzo Maresca will make wholesale changes to the Chelsea starting lineup when they host Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
Chelsea will look to continue the exceptional unbeaten run when they welcome Aston Villa to Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon. And Enzo Maresca has greeted positive updates on the team news front ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Malo Gusto (illness) and Pedro Neto (knock) have overcome their problems, and the duo will be fit and available to take on Aston Villa. However, Reece James and Omari Kellyman remain on the sidelines, with the duo recovering from hamstring injuries.
Meanwhile, in his comments ahead of the game against Aston Villa, Maresca spoke about the importance of adapting to the hectic schedule. December will bring a fixture pile-up, with games coming thick and fast.
The Chelsea manager said, “You have to adapt a little bit. With nine games in December, and not long between one game and another, we will spend even more time at the training ground…and we already spend a long time there!”
“For me, the nice part of being a manager is spending time with the players, but also it’s nice to see them improving, enjoying, winning games and being happy. It also helps you because when you win, you don’t feel tired. The problem is when you don’t [win].”
Maresca will ring in the changes when Chelsea and Aston Villa lock horns at Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon. Robert Sanchez will take his spot between the sticks, with the home side lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of him. The backline should feature Marc Cucurella, Levi Colwill, Wesley Fofana, and the fit against Malo Gusto.
As for the midfield unit, Enzo Fernandez should pair up with Moises Caicedo in the double pivot, with Romeo Lavia being an option on the bench. Cole Palmer will reprise the no. 10 role, with Noni Madueke and Pedro Neto being the two wide attackers. Finally, Nicolas Jackson will lead the line for the home side against Aston Villa on Sunday.
Predicted Chelsea XI: Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Madueke, Palmer, Neto; Jackson