Chelsea will be looking to keep up their impressive Boxing Day record at Stamford Bridge with a local derby against Fulham.
The Blues are unbeaten in two meetings with the Cottagers on Boxing Day, winning once and drawing the other.
Enzo Maresca will be looking to get his side back to winning ways in the iconic festive fixture, as they look to maintain the pressure on Liverpool at the top of the Premier League table.
One of Chelsea’s hardest-fought wins on Boxing Day came in 2021, when they came from behind to beat Aston Villa 3-1.
Thomas Tuchel, Manager of Chelsea celebrates their sides second goal scored by Romelu Lukaku of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Ast...
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Thomas Tuchel described Romelu Lukaku as Chelsea’s ‘game-changer’
Two penalties from Jorginho either side of a Romelu Lukaku header gave the Blues all three point to keep them in the title race at the time.
The Belgian had missed the last three games for Chelsea, with him being the marquee addition to the squad in the prior transfer window.
It took him just 11 minutes to score against one of his favourite opponents, and manager Thomas Tuchel was delighted to welcome him back to his Covid-ravaged squad.
The German said after that game that Lukaku was the game-changer for his side, and they even took a risk with his fitness with his minutes.
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He told BBC Sport: “We decided for an offensive change at half-time, for more goal threat and find more spaces better and create more problems than in the first half.
“I’m happy that he was involved how he was, and that he scored, it’s the best. He was the game-changer today, but there was a lot of risk as 45 minutes was more than the medical department recommended.”
Chelsea were desperate to sell Romelu Lukaku
The relationship between Lukaku and Chelsea soon became sour, with supporters quickly hoping that the club cut their losses on the player who at the time was their club-record signing.
The Blues could only agree loan deals for a couple of seasons for the striker, with him having successful spells at Inter Milan and Roma.
He eventually moved permanently to Napoli over the summer, with Chelsea dropping their valuation of Lukaku in order to find a buyer.
The former Blue has six goals and four assists in Serie A this season, with him looking a goal threat again under the management of Antonio Conte.
For a few months it looked as if Lukaku could fire the Blues to another Premier League title when he joined for the second time, however things didn’t work out as anyone hoped, and the move is largely seen as a mistake at Stamford Bridge.
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