Chelsea travel to Manchester City next up in the Premier League.placeholder image
Chelsea travel to Manchester City next up in the Premier League. | Getty Images
Chelsea face a huge test on Sunday as they travel to Manchester City in the Premier League
Chelsea begin life after Enzo Maresca with one of the toughest tests around, as the Blues travel to the Etihad to face title-challenging Manchester City on Sunday.
The west London outfit sacked Maresca on New Year’s Day after a run of just one win in seven league matches, amidst perceived issues behind the scenes which led to the Italian publicising the build-up to their 2-0 victory over Everton on December 13 as his “worst 48 hours” as Chelsea boss.
Whether the Blues will have a new manager in place in time to visit the Cityzens remains to be seen, but they come into the match in a strong league position despite their recent wobble on and off the pitch.
Currently in fifth place which is likely to mean a Champions League spot for next season, Chelsea will have a job on their hands to leave Manchester with a positive result against Pep Guardiola’s side, who will be wary of dropping more points as they chase down Arsenal at the top.
Chelsea predicted XI vs Man City: goalkeeper and defence
Maresca was forced to tweak things at the back for his final match in charge as the Blues squad feel the full effects of the festive period, meaning there will most likely be changes once again by whoever is in charge at the Etihad.
Robert Sanchez looks certain to start in goal. Reece James was rested to the bench in the 2-2 draw against Bournemouth but came on for Josh Acheampong at half-time and should return to the starting XI here. The same goes for Marc Cucurella if he is passed fit. The Spanish international was withdrawn against Aston Villa with a hamstring complaint and missed out on the clash with the Cherries.
Maresca said on December 30: “Cucu had a small issue in the last game [against Aston Villa], but he is okay, we hope. Hopefully, he can be available for the next game. We just try to prepare in the best way we can.”
The Blues may also rotate at centre-back with Benoit Badiashile coming in for Wesley Fofana, whose minutes have been managed throughout the festive period. Former boss Maresca tended to avoid starting the Frenchman twice in a week, and this might be the case again just five days after their clash with the Cherries.
Predicted Chelsea XI to face Man City: midfield and attack
In midfield, Enzo Fernandez scored a devastating strike against the Cherries and will keep his place, though usual midfield partner Moises Caicedo after the Ecuadorian picked up his fifth yellow card of the season to earn a one-match suspension. The 24-year-old has earned three suspensions in the space of a month, following a red card against Arsenal and a Carabao Cup suspension for his second booking of the tournament against Cardiff City, and his absence will be a blow to the Blues.
Caicedo’s suspension could mean that James moves into his position in the centre of midfield, with Malo Gusto starting at right-back. The pair have proven their versatility so far this campaign and have played in a number of different positions.
Cole Palmer struck from the penalty spot last time out for only his third league goal of an injury-hit season, which saw him return against Leeds United in early December after missing 10 Premier League matches with groin and toe issues. Maresca substituted the 23-year-old after 63 minutes against Bournemouth, leading to fan discontent both in the ground and on social media.
Alongside Palmer, the Blues have a whole host of creative options to cause the City defence problems on Sunday. Estevao returned to the XI against Bournemouth and will look to keep his place, while Alejandro Garnacho was replaced by Pedro Neto at half-time and the Portuguese might get the nod from the start.
In the striker position, Joao Pedro and Liam Delap are both expected to be fit to start but the £60m Brazilian may be chosen to return to the side. He is Chelsea’s top scorer so far this season with six league strikes.
Full predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; Gusto, Chalobah, Badiashile, Cucurella; James, Fernandez; Estevao, Palmer, Neto; Pedro.
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