Enzo Maresca will have the luxury of a number of options available for the first time in a number of weeks for a Premier League game as manager of Chelsea.
The boss has had limited options, particularly in attack, for recent games, and has been forced to utilise Pedro Neto in an unnatural striker position.
Reece James praised Neto for the work he has been doing in that role, but with a plethora of returning players his immediate future looks back out wide.
Nicolas Jackson is back in training ahead of the derby game with Tottenham, while the Blues are also set to welcome back Noni Madueke and Cole Palmer after their own injury woes.
In the absence of those names, the likes of Jadon Sancho have been starting the majoirty of games, despite his own struggles in front of goal.
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Why Enzo Maresca should start Jadon Sancho for Chelsea vs Tottenham
Sancho admitted his frustration at his lack of goals recently, with his last strike for the Blues coming in December.
One of only two of his Premier League goals came in the reverse fixture against Spurs, at a time when the Blues were really up against things after going 2-0 down.
The England international picked the ball up in an attacking area before driving at defenders and striking a vicious shot in off the post to kick off a memorable comeback victory.
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Sancho frequently had the beating of his man, Pedro Porro, who is expected to start again on Thursday night for the opposition. Marc Cucurella and Moises Caicedo were involved in really nice link-up play back in December.
His great performance saw Sancho named in the Team of the Week for this performance, however things have not been close to that level in 2025.
Maresca could have Neto, Madueke, Palmer and Jackson all available, as well as impressive youngster Tyrique George this week, however should look to hand Sancho a start in arguably their biggest game of the season.
Photo by Shaun Brooks - CameraSport via Getty Images
Photo by Shaun Brooks – CameraSport via Getty Images
Jadon Sancho’s Chelsea future
It has been widely reported Chelsea have a mechanism in place to pull out of signing Sancho permanently when his loan from Manchester United comes to an end.
Sancho has not impressed chiefs at the club so far, and they will be well aware that they are set to add the likes of Estevao Willian and Kendry Paez to their ranks at the end of the season.
It has been reported that Sancho is keen on a return to Borussia Dortmund, the side who he has played his best football with since breaking through as a professional.
There is even talk of signing the winger permanently and selling him in the same window, with the player needing a strong end to the season to remain in Chelsea’s plans going forwards.