Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea side are currently preparing for an intriguing Boxing Day clash against close neighbours Fulham.
Chelsea host rivals Fulham in a couple of days time for a festive fixture in the Premier League.
In the league, the Blues have five wins and one draw from their previous six games. They did slip up with the 0-0 draw away to Everton on Sunday, though. It means that Chelsea sit second in the division table over the Christmas period.
Meanwhile, upcoming opponents Fulham sit ninth in the league table after one win, four draws and one defeat from their last six top-flight matches.
Chelsea are without Romeo Lavia for the Fulham showdown, but Maresca still has an incredibly strong group of players to choose from.
Raheem Sterling of Chelsea and Tosin Adarabioyo of Fulham during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Fulham FC at Stamford Bridge on Ja...
Photo by Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
Chelsea’s XI the last time they played Fulham
Chelsea haven’t played against Fulham in any game since last season’s league meeting, which was back on 13 January. The Blues narrowly recorded a 1-0 home victory against Fulham in the opening weeks of 2024, with Cole Palmer’s penalty kick the difference between the sides.
A lot has changed at Chelsea since the most recent West London derby at the start of the calendar year.
Here is a look at the Chelsea starting line-up from the Fulham win. We’ve highlighted the five individuals that started that day that are not currently at the club.
Chelsea’s starting XI vs Fulham (13 January, 2024)
Djordje Petrovic
Malo Gusto
Axel Disasi
Thiago Silva
Levi Colwill
Moises Caicedo
Enzo Fernandez
Cole Palmer
Conor Gallagher
Raheem Sterling
Armando Broja
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Djordje Petrovic, Raheem Sterling and Armando Broja are not in Chelsea’s squad this season because they’re out on their respective loans. On top of that, Thiago Silva and Conor Gallagher both left Stamford Bridge on a permanent basis in the summer.
It means that Fulham will be facing a much-changed Blues team later this week.
Where are the Chelsea quintet now?
Djordje Petrovic (Strasbourg on loan)
Djordje Petrovic, 25, competed for the goalkeeper position at Chelsea last season. However, he’s currently on a year-long loan in France with Ligue 1 club Strasbourg.
Thiago Silva (Fluminense)
Veteran defender Thiago Silva, who’s now aged 40, left Chelsea in the summer before rejoining Brazilian outfit Fluminense. Incidentally, Chelsea’s Noni Madueke has called Silva his best ever teammate.
Conor Gallagher (Atletico Madrid)
Chelsea sold Conor Gallagher to Spanish giants Atletico Madrid in the summer. It was a real blow getting rid of the 24-year-old academy graduate, who played 95 first-team games for the Blues. Now, the England midfielder competing in La Liga on a weekly basis with current leaders Atletico.
Raheem Sterling (Arsenal on loan)
Raheem Sterling, 30, made the controversial switch to Arsenal on a season-long loan for this year, but he’s only scored once in 11 appearances for them across all competitions. Steve Nicol claims Sterling has “done zero” as an Arsenal player. From a Chelsea perspective, they’re not really missing him because so many wingers at the club are in form right now.
Armando Broja (Everton on loan)
Chelsea allowed Armando Broja to join Everton on a season-long loan before the start of the season. The 23-year-old spent the first few months recovering from an injury. The striker is finally back on the pitch and available for selection, making only two appearances so far for the Merseyside club.
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