The predicted Chelsea line-up for this afternoon's Premier League final-day fixture against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light
07:00, 24 May 2026
Joao Pedro and Reece James
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Joao Pedro celebrates with Reece James(Image: Francesco Pecoraro)
Chelsea conclude their season this afternoon with a trip to the Stadium of Light to take on Sunderland.
Results-dependent, the Blues could still sneak their way into the Europa League with a victory over the Black Cats. Calum McFarlane's sole focus is to get a positive performance out of his players and the interim head coach will be hoping that will turn into a positive result.
In what is his final match as interim boss, McFarlane faces some tough decisions in relation to his line-up in the north-east. With that being said, football.london takes a look at how McFarlane might set Chelsea up against Sunderland in their last dance of the season.
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Robert Sanchez
The Spaniard is set to conclude the season as he started it: as Chelsea's No.1 goalkeeper. It will be interesting to see if that's still the case at the beginning of next season with a big decision to be made on Mike Penders.
Wesley Fofana
The Frenchman has been much better since McFarlane took charge last month. Fofana seems to suit playing in a back-three system as well as it allows the defender to progress with the ball at his feet.
Levi Colwill
Colwill was given the night off on Tuesday. McFarlane said on Friday that a late decision would be made on the Chelsea defender over whether he starts against Sunderland. All being well, though, it would be good to see Colwill again before the season concludes.
Jorrel Hato
What a moment for the Dutchman on Tuesday to block James Maddison's shot with a goal-saving challenge at Stamford Bridge. Hato has been outstanding since the turn of the year and McFarlane was very complimentary of the defender in Friday's press conference.
Pedro Neto
We didn't hear much about Malo Gusto's 'knock' in Friday's presser but he wasn't included in any of the training pictures released later in the day. This afternoon might come too soon for Gusto, who won't want to take any risks with the World Cup on the horizon. Perhaps we will see Neto as the right wing-back/wide midfielder.
Reece James
The Chelsea captain was given a rest against Tottenham but he could return to the side for the trip to the Stadium of Light. Perhaps another opportunity to see James, who was the only Blues player included in England's World Cup squad, in the centre of midfield.
Moises Caicedo
One of the first names on the team sheet as always. Caicedo is expected to make his 50th - and final - appearance of the season in all competitions. A machine.
Marc Cucurella
Whether it's a three-back or a four-back formation, Cucurella will play. He seems to really relish in the three-back system and becomes more of an attacking threat.
Cole Palmer
McFarlane will be hoping to get an angry version of Palmer, perhaps with a point to prove, after he was left out of Thomas Tuchel's World Cup squad. It has undoubtedly been a disappointing campaign for the 24-year-old, but he will be hoping to conclude it with a bang.
Enzo Fernandez
Fernandez was absolutely outstanding on Tuesday night where he produced a match-winning performance against Tottenham. Chelsea supporters will be hoping today won't be the final time they see the Argentina international, who has been strongly linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge this summer, in a Blues shirt.
Joao Pedro
The Brazilian missed the win over Spurs with a knock but is in contention to return to the squad in the north-east. Joao Pedro has enjoyed a fine debut season at Chelsea and will be hoping to score his 21st, and perhaps 22nd, goal of the campaign.
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Predicted Chelsea XI (3-4-2-1): Sanchez; Fofana, Colwill, Hato; Neto, James, Caicedo, Cucurella; Palmer, Fernandez; Joao Pedro