This is a Chelsea predicted lineup for their UEFA Champions League match with Barcelona. This will look at the most recent team news as well as some of the availability issues cropping up for this major European outing. A win for the Blaugrana would see them jump further up the table and closer to a confirmed spot in the later knockout rounds of the tournament.
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Chelsea Predicted Lineup & Team News vs Barcelona
How Chelsea Have Lined Up Recently
Robert Sanchez is the first-choice goalkeeper in bigger matches like this. The back line at the weekend had Tosin Adarabioyo, Marc Cucurella, Trevoh Chalobah, and Reece James starting. Wes Fofana and Malo Gusto have also played in the back line with Benoit Badiashile being a regular LCB opion before injury.
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In defensive midfield, Enzo Fernandez partnered Andrey Santos against Burnley to offer a rest to Moises Caicedo. Jamie Gittens, Alejandro Garnacho, Pedro Neto, and Estevao have shared the minutes on the wing with Enzo and Joao Pedro capable of playing at the number ten spot.
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Liam Delap is the first-choice striker when fit with Pedro able to play there when needed. Tyrique George and Marc Guiu have also played there in the past.
Chelsea Recent Form & Tactics
Enzo Maresca begins in a 4-2-3-1 setup which shifts when in possession depending on the available personnel. It usually aims to get a number of players in and around the half-space with wingers or a full back stretching the play and the defensive midfielder or centre backs offering passing options. The setup here could hark back to the Club World Cup as opposed to anything seen recently in the Premier League as Barcelona plays a very high line.
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The Blues are unbeaten in their last five with a 2-2 draw against Qarabag being the worst result in that stretch. Three clean sheets in that time does indicate some positive improvements to the back line, especially as the goals continue to come with ease, still only being kept scoreless in the season opener against a stubborn Crystal Palace team.
Chelsea Team News
There were no fresh injuries suffered against Burnley so the number of absentees is the same. PremierInjuries has this at a total of five different players who won’t be available in Cole Palmer, Mykhailo Mudryk, Levi Colwill, Romeo Lavia, and Dario Essugo. There are also some fitness concerns to keep in mind after a hard-fought 90 at the weekend which could see some players rested for this one.
Chelsea Predicted Lineup vs Barcelona
Some decisions at the weekend might have been made with this fixture in mind so there is rotation expected both on the wings and in the back line. There is a big doubt about who plays as the striker but that could have complicated knock-on effects throughout the eleven.
GK – Robert Sanchez
LB – Marc Cucurella
CB – Benoit Badiashile
CB – Wesley Fofana
RB – Malo Gusto
DM – Moises Caicedo
DM – Reece James
W – Alejandro Garnacho
AM – Enzo Fernandez
W – Estevao
ST – Joao Pedro
Featured Image Credits
Chelsea predicted lineup vs Barcelona - Enzo Fernandez Pictured on the ball for Chelsea
IMAGO / Action Plus
6th October 2024 Stamford Bridge, Chelsea, London, England: Premier League Football, Chelsea versus Nottingham Forest Enzo Fernandez of Chelsea passing the ball into midfield PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxUK ActionPlus12701427 JohnxPatrickxFletcher