Chelsea are back in action tonight as the hectic festive period continues, with little time to stew after defeat to Bournemouth on Saturday.
This is a much harder team to pick, as some players won’t be able to feature twice in such a short period.
Enzo Maresca faces tough call in rotating team with injuries, form and fitness concerns
Tosin Adarabioyo, Benoit Badiashile, and Enzo Maresca in training
Tosin Adarabioyo, Benoit Badiashile, and Enzo Maresca in training
Robert Sanchez will play in goal, and we should see a centre back pair of Wesley Fofana and Trevoh Chalobah after the former was rested on Saturday. After that it gets really tricky, however.
It’s too soon for Reece James to play again, so he will be rested with Malo Gusto taking his place. At left back, even the best case for Marc Cucurella is a few days off after feeling his hamstring, and with Jorrel Hato also out we will probably have to see Benoit Badiashile on the left despite his error on Saturday. Josh Acheampong is another option, either playing on the left, or playing on the right with Gusto on the left.
Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez should be ok to continue in midfield, but Cole Palmer probably will take a break. Estevao could start centrally, with Pedro Neto on the right and Jamie Gittens getting a start on the left with Alejandro Garnacho getting a break.
Liam Delap came on as a sub against Villa, and could be risked with a start tonight to give Joao Pedro a break, with the Brazilian coming on at half time or after an hour.
In other news…
Chelsea were linked yesterday with bids for a Nottingham Forest player, but today’s update on the situation has made things a little more clear.
Reece James has become more and more of a leader for this Chelsea team, speaking out after defeats and gradually turning into the inspirational figure that Enzo Maresca said he wanted him to be.
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