Calum McFarlane has named his Chelsea line-up for their final match of the 2025/26 season as the Blues look for three points at the Stadium of Light against Sunderland
14:48, 24 May 2026
Joao Pedro applauds
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Joao Pedro has scored 20 goals in his debut season for Chelsea(Image: Chris Lee - Chelsea FC)
Calum McFarlane has named his final Chelsea line-up of the season, with a key trio returning to the field for the Blues away at Sunderland.
It looks as if McFarlane has reverted back to a three-back formation for this afternoon's match in the north-east. Levi Colwill returns to the defence after the Chelsea defender enjoyed a night off in Tuesday's win over Tottenham at Stamford Bridge.
Joao Pedro also missed the match five days ago due to a knock but Chelsea's top goal scorer returns to the attack at the Stadium of Light. Malo Gusto, too, returns after missing the Spurs victory through injury.
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It looks as if it could be a back-three system from McFarlane once again. Robert Sanchez continues as the goalkeeper, with potentially three central defenders in front of the Spaniard.
Wesley Fofana, Colwill and Jorrel Hato have all been named in the side. Gusto could be the right-sided midfielder/wing-back, with Marc Cucurella on the opposite flank. Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo are the two likely to be in the centre of the pitch in Sunderland.
Cole Palmer starts alongside Pedro Neto and Joao Pedro in attack. Palmer starts a few days after discovering he will not be travelling to the United States in the summer to represent England in the World Cup. Reece James remains on the bench.
There is still hope that Chelsea can secure Europa League qualification today, though some things need to go the Blues' way. The west Londoners need Manchester United to get something down at the Amex Stadium against Brighton and of course, Chelsea need to do their job.
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Chelsea line-up vs Sunderland: Sanchez; Fofana, Colwill, Hato; Gusto, Caicedo, Fernandez, Cucurella; Palmer, Neto, Joao Pedro