Chelsea return to Premier League action against Sunderland this weekend.placeholder image
Chelsea return to Premier League action against Sunderland this weekend. | Getty Images
Chelsea host Sunderland on Saturday as the Blues look to continue their impressive run
Four successive wins have led to Stamford Bridge getting its voice back, as Chelsea showed their supreme squad depth on Wednesday with a stunning 5-1 victory over Ajax in the Champions League despite 10 changes being made by Enzo Maresca.
Three teenagers scored on the night and another, 17-year-old Reggie Walsh, came on as a substitute to become the Blues’ youngest-ever Champions League player, just two days after his birthday. Maresca’s side are full of youth and at the present moment, it is serving them well.
In-form Sunderland are the next visitors to west London, at the relatively unfamiliar time of Saturday, 3pm kick-off. Blues fans based in the UK may not be able to watch live on TV, but they will undoubtedly travel to Stamford Bridge in their droves as the Blues aim for a fifth win in a row. The Black Cats will be no pushovers, deservedly sat in seventh place in the league, though only four of their 14 points have come away from home.
Maresca will no doubt ring the changes once again after almost changing the entirety of his starting line-up in midweek.
Chelsea predicted starting XI for Sunderland clash
GK - Robert Sanchez: It was somewhat of a surprise that Sanchez was dropped for Filip Jorgensen on Wednesday, but the Spaniard is likely to return to the XI at the weekend having been an ever-present in the Premier League.
RB - Reece James: The captain was given the night off against Ajax and will return, particularly as Malo Gusto is suspended for the match following his red card at Nottingham Forest last weekend.
CB - Josh Acheampong: Was given a recent run in the side with Tosin Adarabioyo out injured, but the 19-year-old has impressed Maresca while Tosin was a noticeably weak link for the Blues in his return on Wednesday. The signs are pointing towards Acheampong being given the chance to start again, with Wesley Fofana also back from injury but unlikely to start twice in four days.
CB - Trevoh Chalobah: The England international replaced Tosin at half-time and is likely to take back his regular place in the XI.
LB - Marc Cucurella: The Spain international was also given a rest in the Champions League and looks set to return in place of Jorrel Hato.
Predicted midfield and attack for Maresca’s Blues
CM - Moises Caicedo: The Ecuador star was as reliable as ever filling in at right-back on Wednesday, but will likely return to his more usual spot in the centre of the park against Sunderland. The Blues are a far better side with Caicedo on the pitch.
CM - Enzo Fernandez:The return of Fernandez from a knee issue in midweek was a welcome boost for Maresca, and the Argentina man got on the score-sheet from the spot, before allowing Estevao to take a second penalty with a touch of class. Romeo Lavia will also be pushing for the XI but is unlikely to start a third game in eight days, as his return to fitness is managed.
RW - Pedro Neto: The Portuguese is a reliable attacking outlet for Maresca and was another unused substitute in midweek, meaning a return to the XI is likely.
AM - Estevao: Amidst the continued injury lay-off endured by Cole Palmer, Maresca is faced with the task of replacing their talisman’s creative spark in the attacking midfield role. Winger Estevao was arguably Chelsea’s best player against Ajax and has certainly earnt his place in the XI on Saturday, possibly in a more central role if Maresca opts for an attacking line-up against the Blues’ newly-promoted opponents.
LW - Alejandro Garnacho: The Argentine has yet to show what he is truly about since signing from Manchester United late in the summer window, but might get the chance to do so again on Saturday. A decent performance against Liverpool was followed by a quiet showing at Forest, and this might be Garnacho’s last chance to nail down a starting role with Jamie Gittens breathing down his neck.
ST - Joao Pedro: The Blues’ frontman was ultimately not missed too much as his side put five past Ajax, but he is nevertheless likely to return to the starting XI after returning from suspension. With two goals and three assists to his name thus far in the Premier League, Pedro has been an ever-present and has made the striker position his own.
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