Liam Rosenior is going to have to get inventive again if Chelsea are to get anything from their trip to Arsenal, and we believe this includes benching Enzo Fernandez.
Rosenior attempted a bold strategy at the Emirates by sitting deep for 60 minutes before making an effort to turn around a first leg deficit, which they were unable to do.
One thing that was notable in that game was how little impact Enzo Fernandez had, and we believe the Blues can set up better for the opponent in question without him in the starting side.
Chelsea’s UCL Round of 16 opponents confirmed 🤝
Early predictions?
Chelsea Champions League draw against PSG
Photo by Michael Regan – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
The Chelsea Chronicle has named their best XI that they can name to get a result against the league leaders.
Liam Rosenior manager / head coach of Chelsea and Reece James
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Chelsea’s best XI to beat Arsenal
With very little to complain about regarding their goalkeeper this season, Robert Sanchez will remain between the sticks for the big game.
Reece James will captain the side after a positive fitness update, however feature in a wing-back position that will allow him to impact the game in attacking positions.
Josh Acheampong will be the first of a back three, using his experience at both centre-back and right-back to his advantage.
The responsibility of bringing experience to the backline will fall to Trevoh Chalobah, and we are selecting him to sit at the heart of defence.
Alongside him will be Mamadou Sarr making his first Premier League start. This could be the making of a sensational Chelsea career if he impresses against the Gunners.
With Marc Cucurella not fit, it will fall to Jorrel Hato to deal with the task of facing up to Bukayo Saka.
In midfield, Moises Caicedo will start and look for a far better display than the reverse fixture, where he was sent off in the first half.
Instead of being alongside Fernandez as he so often is, Andrey Santos’ impressive displays under Rosenior will see him handed the start instead.
No Enzo Fernandez in our Starting XI!
What do you think, Blues?
The responsibility of creativity will fall on the shoulders of Cole Palmer. We are tipping him to start off the right, but with James overlapping he has the chance to cut inside.
The pace on the counter will be brought by Pedro Neto, after the boss decided not to start a recognised winger against Arsenal last time out.
Up front, Joao Pedro will continue his ongoing battle with William Saliba and Gabriel after putting in a seriously good shift in the EFL Cup.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best Chelsea content each week direct to your mailbox