Chelsea have announced the team Enzo Maresca has selected for Wednesday night’s game against Leeds United.
Following their 1-1 draw with Arsenal last weekend, Chelsea are still just six points behind the league leaders.
Ultimately, Enzo Maresca’s men find themselves in contention for the Premier League title for the time being, which is why they need three points at Elland Road.
To try and achieve that, the Chelsea manager has gone with the following team:
CONFIRMED Chelsea XI to face Leeds
Robert Sanchez
Trevoh Chalobah
Tosin Adarabioyo
Benoit Badiashile
Marc Cucurella
Andrey Santos
Enzo Fernandez
Estevao Willian
Joao Pedro
Jamie Gittens
Liam Delap
Subs: Filip Jorgensen, Josh Acheampong, Malo Gusto, Reece James, Jorrel Hato, Cole Palmer, Alejandro Garnacho, Pedro Neto, Marc Guiu
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Andrey Santos during Chelsea v Wolverhampton Wanderers
Photo by Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images
Andrey Santos can replace Moises Caicedo
With Moises Caicedo suspended, it is no big surprise to see Andrey Santos starting in midfield.
Santos has already proven himself in the absence of Caicedo, putting in a terrific performance against Burnley last month.
What made Chelsea vs Leeds such a fierce rivalry?
“Part of the rivalry was definitely the north-south divide. We were the gritty Yorkshire team and they were the fashionable boys from the Kings Road. Both teams were full of terrific players and a few feisty characters. It got personal during the games.”
Eddie Gray (Leeds 1966-83)
“We knew they were aggrieved. After that it turned into a great rivalry between two very good sides. There was no love lost and the the best example I can give of that was the 1970 FA Cup final – especially the first game, which was one of the fiercest matches I have played in. Nobody held back.”
Ron ‘Chopper’ Harris (Chelsea 1962-80)
“They didn’t intimidate us. That’s why they hated us. There was no other club on the planet we would enjoy beating so much.”
Peter Osgood (Chelsea 1964-74)
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In his pre-match press conference, Maresca had hinted that he could go with Josh Acheampong, confident that the 19-year-old can also play as a No.6.
But in the end, the Italian has decided to go with Santos and it will now be interesting to see how he gets on at Elland Road, which can be a tough away ground.
After their game against Daniel Farke’s side, Chelsea will turn their attention to Bournemouth, who travel to Stamford Bridge on Saturday. They lost their midweek Premier League fixture after being beaten 1-0 by Everton.