All eyes will be on who lines up in the attacking positions when Chelsea take to the field against Tottenham in a big London derby this week.
Enzo Maresca has been forced to construct a side out of limited options in recent weeks, as he continued to manage through somewhat of an injury crisis.
The boss will have been buoyed by the return to training in the last week of a number of his key players ahead of the first of nine crucial Premier League games to end the season.
Cole Palmer’s scan was all clear after missing the loss to Arsenal before the international break, while Nicolas Jackson is back in training after not featuring since the beginning of February.
Maresca will now have to weigh up the risks of starting the duo against their big rivals, as The Chelsea Chronicle predicts who will start at Stamford Bridge on Thursday night.
Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
Chelsea Predicted XI vs Tottenham
Robert Sanchez
Maresca has made it clear he currently sees Robert Sanchez as his number one goalkeeper ahead of Filip Jorgensen, so the Spaniard will continue between the sticks despite not impressing Chelsea fans of late.
Reece James
There will be a return to right-back for Reece James following his excellent display there for England during the international break.
His club manager has made it clear that he sees James’ future in midfield, however a returning star could see the captain return to his traditional role.
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Wesley Fofana
Wesley Fofana has started in the right-back position since he has returned to the squad from his latest injury, however he will be back in what Maresca sees as his first-choice centre-back pairing for the game against Spurs.
Levi Colwill
He will be partnered by Levi Colwill for the first time since the start of December, with the England international fresh after picking up zero minutes while away representing his country.
The changes will see Benoit Badiashile drop to the bench.
Marc Cucurella
Arguably Chelsea’s most consistent player in the last couple of months, Marc Cucurella will be straight back into the starting side for the big London derby.
He will be hoping to have a much better start to this game than the reverse fixture against the same opposition, when he slipped twice in the build up to two Spurs goals.
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Romeo Lavia
After featuring off the bench against Arsenal before the break, Romeo Lavia will be back in the starting side to take on their fellow North Londoners this week.
His return will allow James to shift back to right-back, as Maresca gets a rare opportunity to name his three strongest midfielders in the starting side.
Moises Caicedo
Moises Caicedo impressed while representing Ecuador in the international break, and the extra few days until a Premier League game will allow him to be at 100% by the time Spurs make the visit.
Enzo Fernandez
Enzo Fernandez is another South American who will benefit from the few extra recovery days between international and club football, and will start again on Thursday.
Fernandez dominated for Argentina over the break, and will be a key member of the Blues’ side in the final weeks of the Premier League season.
Cole Palmer
Given how important he has proven himself to the Chelsea side, Cole Palmer will be straight back in the starting side for the Blues following his injury scare.
He will be looking to put an end to his nightmare run in goal that included Palmer missing the first penalty of his senior career.
Pedro Neto
In the absence of a number of key attackers, Pedro Neto has been the shining light in attack for the Blues recently.
He will make the transition back to the wing after playing a large amount of his minutes in the striker role of late.
Nicolas Jackson
Neto will be able to return to the wing as a result of Nicolas Jackson being named in the starting side for the first time in nearly two months.
The Senegal international hasn’t found the net in 2025, but has a great record already against Spurs, scoring four goals in his three games against them.