This is the latest Chelsea team news ahead of their Premier League clash with Bournemouth on Tuesday, December 30. As part of the hectic winter schedule this one comes just days after their recent league outings with both sides likely combating some fatigue. We will attempt to put together a predicted lineup for the Blues based on who has played recently and the availability issues the manager has to handle.
Chelsea Team News & Predicted Lineup vs Bournemouth
How Chelsea Have Lined up Recently
Rob Sanchez has been starting in goal against top division and European opposition. The back line has been mixed with Marc Cucurella, Wes Fofana, Trevoh Chalobah, Benoit Badiashile, Josh Acheampong, Malo Gusto, and Reece James all starting across the back four.
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James has started in the midfield pivot with Andrey Santos, Enzo Fernandez, and Moises Caicedo as the other options. Enzo has moved up to play as the number ten where Facundo Buonanotte and Cole Palmer have also started.
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Jamie Gittens, Alejandro Garnacho, Pedro Neto, and Estevao have started out wide. Joao Pedro has been the main striker during Liam Delap’s absence with Delap as the usual starter against physical defensive lines.
Chelsea Recent Form & Tactics
Enzo Maresca has used a 4-2-3-1 as a base tactic that shifts both in-possesion and out of possession depending on the game state and opponent. It can shift into a 3-2-4-1 at times with the focus being a central overload to open space on the wings for a one v one opportunity on the wing. They press high and aim to recycle the ball when its lost to keep the pressure high on the opponent and their goal.
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With just one win in six league outings, the Blues have fallen from Arsenal’s closest challengers to an outsider watching the top three pull away. The league has been so inconsistent that they’re still in top five, but they are in need of picking up momentum before they slide down the table. The win over Barcelona is a distant blip in the memory of fans as their season looks to be in doubt at the halfway mark of the league campaign.
Chelsea Team News
There could be up to six players unavailable for this one, with the status of Palmer also being up in the air as he returns to full match fitness. PremierInjuries lists Mykhailo Mudryk, Jorrel Hato, Marc Cucurella, Levi Colwill, Romeo Lavia, and Dario Essugo as the main worries for this one.
With other players returning to fitness and a match just a few days ago, there could be some other changes with wingers particularly putting in a big shift and possibly needing to come off the bench.
Chelsea Predicted Lineup vs Bournemouth
GK – Rob Sanchez
LB – Marc Cucurella
CB – Wes Fofana
CB – Trevoh Chalobah
RB – Malo Gusto
DM – Reece James
DM – Moises Caicedo
W – Jamie Gittens
AM – Enzo Fernandez
W – Pedro Neto
ST – Joao Pedro
Featured Image Credit
IMAGO / Uk Sports Pics