Enzo Maresca could finally assemble the strongest Chelsea starting lineup after the international break. The Blues enjoyed a great start to the season, climbing to second in the Premier League table – at one stage, they were even considered to be potential title contenders.
Unfortunately for Maresca, though, Chelsea had a bit of a wobble over the festive period, falling well behind Liverpool and Arsenal. Despite some injuries to big names, the West Londoners have held onto a place in the top four.
That said, Manchester City, Newcastle United and Brighton aren't far behind in the race for Champions League qualification, so Maresca will be hoping his side can jump out of the gates after the international break.
The Blues will host Tottenham Hotspur at the start of next month for another 'Battle of the Bridge'. So, with that being said, journalists at football.london have picked their strongest Chelsea starting lineup ahead of the Premier League run-in.
Matthew Abbott
The international break could not come soon enough for Chelsea as they literally and figuratively limp towards the end of the season. They need Cole Palmer, they need Nicolas Jackson, they need Noni Madueke.
All three should be starting up front against Tottenham Hotspur if they are fit enough to do so. Jadon Sancho needs to drop out, with Tyrique George a better option now.
In goal, Enzo Maresca must flip back to Filip Jorgensen at the opposite end of the pitch instead of persisting with Robert Sanchez. Levi Colwill and Marc Cucurella should stay on the left side of the defence, with Wesley Fofana and Reece James on the right.
That leaves a hole in midfield for Enzo Fernandez to move back alongside Moises Caicedo.
Matt's strongest Chelsea XI for the run-in: Jorgensen; James, Fofana, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Madueke, Palmer, Neto; Jackson.
Kieran Horn
Enzo Maresca is undoubtedly facing a number of big Chelsea team selection calls for the final few games of the season. However, one that I think is rather straightforward is in goal with Robert Sanchez coming out of the starting XI again for Filip Jorgensen.
Though James has impressed in midfield, right-back will always be his best position and playing there in Maresca's system could still allow him to invert. A centre-back pairing of Wesley Fofana and Levi Colwill appears the perfect blend of aggression, pace and aerial domination.
On the left, there is no reason to stop Marc Cucurella from bombing on in attack as shown by his contributions further forward. The return of Romeo Lavia could be huge for a number of reasons with the first of those allowing Enzo Fernandez to take up a more advanced role and get back among the goals with those late runs into the box.
Moises Caicedo would also see his responsibilities lessen while Cole Palmer could go back to playing in that free role that he did so well in under Mauricio Pochettino. Completing the lineup behind the returning Nicolas Jackson would be Pedro Neto with his pace and work ethic a valuable weapon to use at both ends.
Kieran's strongest Chelsea XI for the run-in: Jorgensen; James, Fofana, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Lavia; Palmer, Fernandez, Neto; Jackson.
Jake Stokes
Filip Jorgensen should be between the sticks, protected by a back four of Reece James, Trevoh Chalobah, Levi Colwill and Marc Cucurella. Robert Sanchez has cost Chelsea far too many points this season, so Maresca can't afford to blindly trust the Spaniard with so much at stake.
I'd love to see Maresca give Romeo Lavia a run in the starting lineup, but Chelsea should continue with a double pivot of Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo. If either of the two need a rest, the 21-year-old midfielder should be given the chance to impress.
Cole Palmer should continue in the number ten role, with Noni Madueke on the right and Pedro Neto on the left. Then, up top, it goes without saying that Nicolas Jackson should lead the frontline.
Chelsea are in a race against time to welcome Madueke and Jackson back from injury. While the duo have been greatly missed, Maresca will be cautious to throw them straight back into the starting lineup. They're desperately needed for the run-in.
Jake's strongest Chelsea XI for the run-in: Filip Jorgensen; Reece James, Trevoh Chalobah, Levi Colwill and Marc Cucurella; Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo; Noni Madueke, Cole Palmer and Pedro Neto; Nicolas Jackson.
Tom Coley
There is no doubt that Maresca has been hampered by injuries in the past few months. Starting with the loss of Fofana and then Lavia in early January, things only got harder when Jackson and Madueke were ruled out.
This does not excuse the poor performances, though, because the blip had started before Jackson and Madueke were sidelined and Lavia has never been a regular due to his personal setbacks. Things on paper do look much more promising for the run in and it will need to be that way if Chelsea are to turn things around on the pitch against tough opponents.
The solidity and togetherness has to start in goal, where Jorgensen deserves to play ahead of Sanchez. There is no reason he should be dropped. In front of him and a fully fit backline of James, Fofana, Colwill, and Cucurella really is quite strong.
The midfield balance is harder to strike. Fernandez and Caicedo definitely start but the return of James has seen him be an orthodox midfielder of late. He is better at full-back right now, though, and can invert when needed in this system.
Palmer plays ahead of them and must find his form. Madueke replaces a desperately out-of-form Sancho on the right with Neto going to the left after his impressive displays up front. Jackson is through the middle and must find his feet quickly to get things back in the direction.
Tyrique George could easily be in this team as well and deserves more of an opportunity.
Tom's strongest Chelsea XI for the run-in: Jorgensen, James, Fofana, Colwill, Cucurella; Fernandez, Caicedo, Palmer; Madueke, Jackson, Neto.
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Chelsea flag prior the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final Leg One match between Chelsea FC and Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge. (Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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