Chelsea are back in Champions League action on Wednesday night with the visit of Ajax to Stamford Bridge, as they look to ensure their European charge is back on track.
The Blues have one win and one loss under their belt in this competition so far, restoring some clarity with a narrow victory over Jose Mourinho’s Benfica.
Enzo Maresca will be aware that Joao Pedro is not available for selection after he was sent off in the last Champions League game as part of the ongoing red card epidemic at the club, despite not even starting the game.
Tyrique George had a poor outing up front last time in Europe, which could see the manager look to another option when it comes to the striker role for the visit of Ajax.
The Chelsea Chronicle have predicted the XI which Maresca will pick for what could end up being a crucial Champions League tie for their hopes of finishing in a strong position in the group stage.
Chelsea FC v SL Benfica - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD2
Photo by Gaspafotos/MB Media/Getty Images
Chelsea predicted XI vs Ajax
Robert Sanchez has actually had a very strong campaign so far minus his red card against Manchester United, and he will continue to frustrate Filip Jorgensen on the bench.
Malo Gusto will be unavailable for their next Premier League game due to his own sending off against Nottingham Forest, and he will come in at right-back in place of the protected Reece James.
It will be all change at the back. Wesley Fofana, who didn’t even make the matchday squad on Saturday, will return as a starter in the Champions League.
He will be joined by Tosin Adarabioyo. History was made at the weekend when Tosin became the first 28-year-old to feature for Maresca.
Marc Cucurella will continue at left-back, stopping Jorrel Hato from getting a start against his former side.
Moises Caicedo celebrates scoring for Chelsea against Liverpool in the Premier League.
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In midfield, Moises Caicedo will return to the starting side. The Blues regained so much control against Forest when he was introduced to proceedings.
He will be partnered by Andrey Santos, who will feel as if he should have found the net for the first time for Chelsea in his 45 minutes against Forest.
In front of those two, Estevao Willian will be handed the responsibility of playing in the number 10 role, as Chelsea continue to search for creativity answers without Cole Palmer.
Pedro Neto will continue his near ever-present run as a starter for Chelsea this season. Neto starred in the last Champions League game against Benfica.
The opposite wing will be occupied by Jamie Gittens. The former Borussia Dortmund man is still waiting for his Chelsea career to properly kick off.
Up front, Marc Guiu will make his first start for the club since returning from his loan at Sunderland. Guiu helped change the game against Forest with his half-time introduction.
Chelsea Predicted XI vs Ajax: Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Tosin, Cucurella; Caicedo, Santos; Neto, Estevao, Gittens; Guiu