Enzo Maresca suddenly finds himself with a defensive headache as he takes his Chelsea side to Everton in the Premier League on Sunday.
With Marc Cucurella suspended following his late red card against Brentford last weekend, and Wesley Fofana, Benoit Badiashile and Reece James all still out, the Italian may have to get creative with his backline.
Tosin Adarabioyo will likely partner Levi Colwill at centre-back, while Malo Gusto is sure to play on one of the flanks, but Maresca must decide which of Axel Disasi, Renato Veiga and youngster Josh Acheampong fills in on the other.
Moises Caicedo would usually be an option at right-back, but Maresca has revealed that Romeo Lavia is struggling to recover from a hamstring injury in time to play and the Ecuadorian will therefore likely be needed in midfield.
Further forward, Joao Felix is available again after returning from injury as a substitute against Shamrock Rovers in midweek, but Mykhailo Mudryk misses out as he is suspended while awaiting the results of a ‘B’ sample following his failed drugs test. Mudryk denies knowingly using any banned substance after positive test.
That Noni Madueke started against Shamrock is probably bad news for his chances of doing likewise at Goodison Park, with Jadon Sancho and Pedro Neto rested and ready to come in.
Chelsea predicted lineup: Sanchez; Gusto, Tosin, Colwill, Veiga; Caicedo, Fernandez; Neto, Palmer, Sancho; Jackson
Injured: Fofana, James, Badiashile
Doubts: Lavia
Suspended: Mudryk, Cucurella
Time and date: 2pm GMT on Sunday 22 December 2024
Venue: Goodison Park
TV channel and live stream: Not available in UK
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