This is a Chelsea predicted lineup for their UEFA Champions League tie with Atalanta. We will look at the most recent team news, including the announced travelling squad for this fixture. There will also be a discussion on who has started for the team recently before offering a lineup prediction for this one.
Chelsea Predicted Lineup & Team News vs Atalanta
How Chelsea Have Lined Up Recently
Rob Sanchez has been undropped in goal. The back line has seen Marc Cucurella as a starter every time he’s available on the left. In the middle, the combination of Trevoh Chalobah and Wes Fofana is preferred with Benoit Badiashile and Tosin Adarabioyo starting there too. Malo Gusto, Reece James, and Chalobah have played as the right-back depending on the opponent and fitness.
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In defensive midfield, Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez have been the preferred options with Andrey Santos and James coming in when needed to offer some rotation or a different combination of profiles. Enzo has moved up to play as the number ten where Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro have also played.
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Alejandro Garnacho, Estevao, Pedro Neto, and Jamie Gittens have played on the wings with Liam Delap, Neto, and Pedro lining up as the striker with Marc Guiu getting one start up front.
Chelsea Recent Form & Tactics
Enzo Maresca uses a 4-2-3-1 as his base with the team shifting when in possession to try and control matches. The idea in his mind is to try and press high, recycle the ball, and probe to create chances, unless his opponents are pressing high, then he is capable of playing a more transitional style that goes directly to the opposition box. The actual setup changes and doesn’t stay as a 4-2-3-1 for long.
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How things can change quickly, after a great run that saw one loss in 12, the team have now failed to pick up a win in three consecutive league matches. Two points from a possible nine has left the high of the Barcelona win feeling like an alternate universe. The defensive solidity that existed has fallen with the team shipping three against Leeds and course correcting to fail to score for the first time since the opening match of the season in the 0-0 draw with Bournemouth.
Chelsea Team News
The announced travelling squad tells us who definitely isn’t available in this one. Delap and Palmer will both miss out after one got hurt against the Cherries and the other continues his recovery from his own injury, Levi Colwill, Romeo Lavia, and Dario Essugo are named as the other absentees by the club’s statement.
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There are some fitness issues to keep in mind. Enzo has played a lot since the international break (which he missed due to an injury), both Fofana and James may need to be rested if they’re to play against Everton, and Neto has also played a hefty amount of minutes. Of the players travelling there are some who will have to be rotated with an eye on Everton.
Chelsea Predicted Lineup vs Atalanta
GK – Rob Sanchez
LB – Jorrel Hato
CB – Benoit Badiashile
CB – Josh Acheampong
RB – Malo Gusto
DM – Andrey Santos
DM – Moises Caicedo
AM – Facundo Buonanotte
W – Jamie Gittens
W – Estevao
ST – Tyrique George
Featured Image Credits
Chelsea Predicted lineup - Chelsea players celebrate goal
IMAGO / Sportimage
Brighton and Hove, England, 8th February 2025. Cole Palmer of Chelsea celebrates after Bart Verbruggen of Brighton and Hove Albion scores an own goal from his deflected shot to make it 1-0 during the FA Cup match at the AMEX Stadium, Brighton and Hove. Picture credit should read: Paul Terry / Sportimage EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. SPI_007_PT_Brighton_Chelsea SPI-3665-0006