Liam Rosenior could make wholesale changes to the starting lineup when Chelsea lock horns with West Ham
06:00, 31 Jan 2026
Cole Palmer of Chelsea reacts during a Chelsea FC Training Session at Chelsea Training Ground on January 20, 2026 in Cobham, England
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Cole Palmer could start for Chelsea against West Ham(Image: Photo by Jasper Wax/Getty Images)
Liam Rosenior has a few difficult decisions to make ahead of Chelsea's clash against West Ham. The Blues will be looking to climb into the top four when they face Nuno Espirito Santo's side at Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon.
Chelsea have won their last four Premier League games against the Hammers. Meanwhile, West Ham have tasted victory in just one of their last 19 top-flight games against the Club World Cup winners, losing each of their last five.
While Chelsea may fancy their chances, Rosenior knows how much damage the Hammers could do. Speaking to reporters at Cobham on Friday afternoon, the Blues boss said: "Nuno has put his stamp on his team.
"All his teams have been well organised off the ball. They've been very good in transition. Tomorrow is the biggest game of the season. I will find out so much. If you want to be a consistent winning team, these are the games you have to step forward."
So, with that being said, football.london has predicted how Chelsea will set up against West Ham.
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Rosenior reshuffles the backline
Rosenior has described this weekend's clash as the 'biggest game of the season', but he may have one eye on Tuesday night's Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. So, the Chelsea boss could very well make a few eyebrow-raising changes to the starting lineup.
That said, Robert Sanchez, who's been very good for a while now, will likely remain between the sticks. Rosenior could go for a backline of: Malo Gusto, Trevoh Chalobah, Josh Acheampong, and Jorrel Hato.
Robert Sanchez of Chelsea looks on prior to the Premier League match between Bournemouth and Chelsea at Vitality Stadium on December 06, 2025 in Bournemouth, England
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Robert Sanchez has become a key player for Chelsea this season(Image: Photo by Chris Lee - Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
Reece James has played almost 180 minutes across the Blues' last two games, while Gusto has only been given about 75 minutes, so the Blues boss could view the West Ham clash as a chance to finally rest his captain.
Chalobah, Acheampong and Hato didn't start in the 3-2 win over Napoli on Wednesday night, so they could be given a runout against the Hammers. The trio are also probably Chelsea's most capable at defending transitions, which will be perfect against a counter-attacking-minded side.
Palmer replaces Chelsea star and wonderkid rested
In the middle of the park, Rosenior could start Andrey Santos again. The Chelsea boss will be looking to carefully manage the workload of Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez ahead of Tuesday night's clash against Arsenal.
Speaking to reporters at Cobham on Friday afternoon, Rosenior confirmed that Palmer is available to start against the Hammers. The Blues star could be given an hour or so, at the very most, as he looks to rebuild his fitness.
Cole Palmer of Chelsea looks on during the warm up prior to the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD8 match between SSC Napoli and Chelsea FC
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Cole Palmer is available to start for Chelsea against West Ham(Image: (Photo by Carl Recine - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images))
Chelsea will need to come from behind to book a place in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley Stadium, so Estevao Willian could be rested too. Meanwhile, Rosenior could give minutes to Jamie Gittens, who was brought off shortly after coming on against Napoli, and Pedro Neto, who was hooked at half-time.
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Rosenior reluctantly rests Champions League hero
Rosenior could reluctantly rest Joao Pedro at the weekend, despite his heroics at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium on Wednesday night. The Chelsea striker has been enjoying an excellent vein of form, but he may only get a brief cameo against West Ham before being unleashed at the Emirates Stadium.
It must be said too that Liam Delap certainly deserves a chance to make his mark. The Blues frontman could very well be better-suited to a low-block opposition, so Rosenior will be hoping he can occupy the West Ham centre-backs.
Predicted Chelsea XI: Robert Sanchez; Malo Gusto, Trevoh Chalobah, Josh Acheampong, Jorrel Hato; Andrey Santos, Moises Caicedo; Pedro Neto, Cole Palmer, Jamie Gittens; Liam Delap.