Enzo Maresca has delivered the latest team news, praised the form of Enzo Fernandez, and discussed Moises Caicedo's versatility ahead of our trip to Tottenham Hotspur.
Our busy December continues on Sunday as we travel across the capital for an always-intense London derby. Maresca rotated his side in midweek against Southampton – seven changes were made – but the strength of the Blues squad was showcased as we secured a 5-1 win.
The Blues head coach has already confirmed one alteration will be made to his starting XI at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium; goalkeeper Robert Sanchez will return as Maresca outlined to the media the Spaniard remains our number one.
The rest of the line-up will be determined after tomorrow's session, but Maresca will be without Reece James and Wesley Fofana due to hamstring injuries.
'They are both slowly getting better but as we said recently, it is going to be weeks for them. They are still far [from a return to action]. Otherwise, the only one who is still ill is Misha Mudryk. The rest of the squad is okay.’
Against Southampton, Romeo Lavia was named among the substitutes while Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo were deployed as a midfield duo.
Fernandez claimed an assist at St Mary's – his fifth goal involvement in his last four outings – and Maresca is pleased with the progress the Argentine has made this term.
‘Enzo is improving a lot, especially in terms of understanding the game and position,' said the Blues head coach. 'Now he is in the right position, arriving in the box, always there. This is what we need from the attacking players. For sure he can do things better, not only Enzo but the whole squad, but he is in the right way.’
Caicedo, meanwhile, has been used in very different roles in our past two matches. When Aston Villa visited Stamford Bridge last Sunday, he started at right-back but inverted into midfield when the Blues were in possession.
The Ecuador international was used as a more traditional deep-lying midfielder against Southampton but Maresca believes the inverted full-back role is one Caicedo can play again in the future.
‘Moi as the full-back inverting inside was something in our minds from day one, but because of the Romeo (Lavia) injury and Enzo moment, we used Moi as a holding midfielder,’ Maresca explained.
‘Against Aston Villa, we decided to use him as a full-back and for sure we will see him again [in the future] as on the ball, we have Moi inside next to Romeo and Enzo, so we are quite good, and off the ball he is giving us balance. So, for sure, it could be an option.'