There is no doubt that Enzo Maresca will ring the changes when Chelsea take on Bournemouth this Saturday.
Maresca rotated his team for Chelsea’s game against Leeds United on Wednesday night, but that backfired.
You would now expect him to bring all of his key players back into the side, though Moises Caicedo will still be unavailable because of suspension.
The moment Reece James announced his return vs Bournemouth
Surely he’ll be back in the side on Saturday…
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Two players Maresca will be able to call upon, though, are Pedro Neto and Alejandro Garnacho.
Enzo Maresca manager / head coach of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Leeds United and Chelsea
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Pedro Neto and Alejandro Garnacho likely to replace Jamie Gittens and Estevao Willian
Neto and Garnacho were both named on the bench at Elland Road, but Maresca was quick to turn to the duo after a disastrous first half. It would now be a huge surprise if they were named as substitutes again this weekend.
Neto has been Chelsea’s best attacker this season and proved that again on Wednesday by scoring his side’s consolation goal. It was his fifth in the Premier League, meaning that he has already surpassed his tally from the previous campaign.
Jamie Gittens was criticised by Gary Neville but was definitely not the worst player on the pitch. It was the 21-year-old who set up Neto.
Very clever finish! Is Pedro Neto Chelsea’s best attacker right now?
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However, Garnacho has been Maresca’s preferred choice on the left wing this term and has come up with some big moments for the Blues. He scored an important equaliser against Qarabag and provided two assists versus Wolverhampton Wanderers last month.
Gittens could do with a run in the team to gain more confidence, while Chelsea fans are loving watching Estevao Willian at the moment. But with both men being hooked for Neto and Garnacho in Wednesday night’s defeat, it seems unlikely that they will start against Andoni Iraola’s men.
Pedro Neto and Alejandro Garnacho celebrate Chelsea goal
Photo by Andrew Kearns – CameraSport via Getty Images
Pedro Neto’s and Alejandro Garnacho’s records against Bournemouth
Neto and Garnacho need to do something for the first time on Saturday to help Chelsea beat Bournemouth: score against the Cherries.
Neither winger has managed to do that, despite having played in the Premier League for a considerable time.
Record vs Bournemouth Games Wins Draws Losses Goals Assists
Pedro Neto 5 3 2 0 0 1
Alejandro Garnacho 6 2 2 2 0 1
Via Pedro Neto’s Transfermarkt and Alejandro Garnacho’s Transfermarkt pages
Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro have, but the Blues cannot afford to rely on just one or two players, with Iraola’s side being a very capable outfit.
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