This is a Chelsea predicted lineup for their return to the UEFA Champions League after two seasons out in the cold. They get their return off to a difficult start as they take on Bundesliga holders and recent rivals Bayern Munich to kick off the league phase. Enzo Maresca and most of the squad are going to learn in the hardest possible setting how difficult it is to navigate a major European competition and the Premier League at the same time.
Chelsea Predicted Lineup vs Bayern Munich in UCL Tie
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### How Chelsea Have Lined Up Recently
Robert Sanchez has been the main man in goal. Marc Cucurella, Jorrel Hato, Trevoh Chalobah, Tosin Adarabioyo, Josh Acheampong, Wesley Fofana, and Malo Gusto have all started in the back line due to injuries or fitness-related changes. Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez have been the defensive midfield pairing to start every single outing so far.
**Read More:** [Chelsea Predicted Lineup vs Brentford for September 13](https://lastwordonsports.com/football/2025/09/13/chelsea-predicted-lineup-vs-brentford-september/)
The attacking areas have been equally unsettled with Pedro Neto, Cole Palmer, Joao Pedro, Estevao, Jamie Gittens, and Facundo Buonanotte all starting in the three attacking midfield spots. Liam Delap was the first-choice striker but Pedro has been asked to fill that role since his injury.
### Chelsea Recent Form & Tactics
Maresca has continued to use his fluid 4-2-3-1 setup with the main alteration being who moves where when in-possession. Personnel changes have caused some deviations from the tactics that worked well against Paris Saint-Germain, Fulham, and West Ham with his team making some shifts with the unusual starting defenders used against Brentford. With Fofana at right-back it took away what Gusto has offered and forced Hato on the left to invert a bit, rather unsuccessfully.
**Read More:** [Grading Chelsea Summer Window 2025](https://lastwordonsports.com/football/2025/09/02/grading-chelsea-summer-window-2025/)
Depsite recent draws and negativity the Blues have still only lost twice in their last 20 or so fixtures. The recent run includes tough draws with Crystal Palace and the Bees but as an onlooker, that Brentford team looks primed to cause upsets with their pace and long-ball ability. Kevin Schade will cause havoc to the Liverpool and Manchester Citys of the world in time.
### Chelsea Injuries to Consider
This is where things get interesting. According to PremierInjuries there are six unavailable names but that doesn’t include those lacking in fitness who may not be ready to start here. Delap, Benoit Badiashile, Romeo Lavia, Mykhailo Mudryk, Dario Essugo, and Estevao (illness) were all ruled out against Brentford. Palmer, Caicedo, James, Fofana, Pedro, all have fitness concerns either due to their coming back from injury or load management.
After not being included in the squad for the League Phase, Buonannote has now replaced Essugo on the A-List.
### Chelsea Predicted Lineup vs Bayern Munich
GK – Robert Sanchez
LB – Marc Cucurella
CB – Trevoh Chalobah
CB – Tosin Adarabioyo
RB – Malo Gusto
DM – Reece James
DM – Enzo Fernandez
W – Cole Palmer
W – Tyrique George
AM – Facundo Buonanotte
ST – Pedro Neto