Xabi Alonso is facing a crucial selection dilemma as Chelsea prepare to host unbeaten Everton at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The Blues visit Merseyside fresh from a 5-1 win over Bournemouth, and sticking with the same starting XI looks like the right call.
Captain Reece James continues to be a doubt with a slight knee complaint, while Jamie Gittens has been ruled out for a couple of weeks with an ankle injury. Alonso is expected to give further details in his pre-match press conference at Cobham on Friday afternoon.
In goal, Emiliano Martinez is expected to keep his place, having made a fantastic double save against Bournemouth last weekend. The Argentine was signed to shore up a shaky defence, but Chelsea have gone 22 league games without a clean sheet.
Josh Acheampong, Maxence Lacroix and Levi Colwill will all start in the back three once again, with Wesley Fofana an alternative option. Changing this experienced backline, which has conceded only one goal, would be an unnecessary risk.
In midfield, Moises Caicedo and Jordan Henderson are set to start again following their first league start together against Bournemouth. The 36-year-old Henderson scored twice and laid on an assist while Caicedo’s return from a calf injury added much-needed steel to the side.
Pedro Neto and Pep Chavarria should again provide width as wing-backs, offering pace and power on the counter against a high-pressing Toffees side. Marco Palestra, who has returned to the squad after a recent injury, and Jorrel Hato are both strong options from the bench, should Alonso require fresh legs.
Further up the pitch, Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers will look to operate in the pockets behind Joao Pedro, who has been directly involved in eight league goals this season. The Brazilian scored twice and registered an assist against Bournemouth.
Chelsea predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Martinez; Acheampong, Lacroix, Colwill; Neto, Caicedo, Henderson, Chavarria; Palmer, Rogers; Joao Pedro.
They Give Presence, They Give Stability – Xabi Alonso
Alonso has made no secret that the addition of the new midfield double act who helped Chelsea to victory against Bournemouth last weekend was a huge boost. Speaking following the victory, the Spaniard revealed that Henderson and Caicedo complement each other well and offer a great platform for their teammates.
The former Real Madrid coach added that they bring balance to the team, saying that a strong midfield is the foundation of his side’s success. He added that a team is usually in good shape when its midfield is well-balanced.
Henderson’s signing in the summer caused surprise, with the veteran arriving from Brentford. His first match after joining was a 3-0 defeat at his former club, but his home debut against Bournemouth will be much more memorable.
Caicedo, meanwhile, has been plagued by a calf complaint in the opening weeks of the campaign, and Alonso was desperate to get the Ecuadorian back to full fitness. This partnership will be tested against the industrious Everton midfield on Saturday.