Enzo Maresca has given a positive update on Cole Palmer ahead of Chelsea’s game against Brentford this weekend.
Palmer trained on Thursday, so the attacking midfielder could be in contention to start in Saturday’s west London derby.
Who else will make Maresca‘s first XI at the Gtech Community Stadium and who will miss out?
The Chelsea Chronicle has tried to predict the Blues‘ team for their fourth Premier League fixture of the season.
Chelsea Head Coach Enzo Maresca Visits Stamford Bridge
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Chelsea predicted XI vs Brentford
Robert Sanchez is still Maresca’s first-choice goalkeeper, so the Spaniard will be expected to start for Chelsea.
After playing in both of England’s games over the international break, Maresca will want to give James a breather. It means Malo Gusto is likely to retain the right-back spot.
Wesley Fofana has been available for a while now, but he may be saved for the Bayern Munich game next week. Therefore, Trevoh Chalobah and Tosin Adarabioyo should continue their centre-back partnership.
To the left of Adarabioyo, Marc Cucurella will get the nod. He is arguably the best left-back in the Premier League right now.
MORE CHELSEA STORIES
Further forward is where things get more interesting. Enzo Fernandez will be fresh after not linking up with the Argentina squad, and if Moises Caicedo is not too tired after representing Ecuador, then he will join his South American teammate in the middle of the park.
Just ahead of Fernandez and Caicedo, Palmer will start if he has got over his groin issue.
Cole Palmer reacts during Chelsea FC v Paris Saint-Germain: Final - FIFA Club World Cup 2025
Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images
Palmer’s return would possibly see Estevao Willian, who has quickly become a fan favourite at Stamford Bridge, drop out of the side, with Pedro Neto returning to the right flank.
Estevao deserves to be a starter for Chelsea right now, but he has also done a lot of travelling over this international break, while Maresca has to find a way to put Palmer back into the side.
Alejandro Garnacho has a good chance of making his Chelsea debut after spending the whole of the international break working at Cobham.
Finally, Chelsea’s man of the moment, Joao Pedro, is likely to lead the line at the Gtech.
Chelsea's predicted XI vs Brentford: Sanchez; Gusto, Chalobah, Tosin, Cucurella; Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez; Neto, Palmer, Garnacho; Pedro