Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca will be desperate to get off to a flying start to the 2025/26 Premier League season, which is due to get underway in less than two weeks’ time.
The Blues returned to pre-season training this week, although Christopher Nkunku was not spotted with the first team squad as he sought treatment for an injury issue.
Wesley Fofana is back though, and Maresca’s admiration of the Frenchman could see him very quickly become an option to feature at the heart of defence.
Chelsea will get their Premier League campaign underway against FA Cup winners Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge. The boss will be hoping for a more positive result than the 2-0 defeat he suffered on opening day last season.
With the blueprint clear after the Club World Cup triumph, The Chelsea Chronicle have predicted the side which Maresca will pick for the Premier League opener.
Enzo Maresca celebrates after Chelsea FC v Paris Saint-Germain: Final - FIFA Club World Cup 2025
Photo by Michael Regan – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
Chelsea predicted XI vs Crystal Palace
Despite links to the likes of Mike Maignan throughout the summer transfer window, the Blues look set to stick with Robert Sanchez as the goalkeeper for the upcoming season.
Club captain Reece James will be hoping a short break over the summer will allow him to start the new season in his preferred role of right-back.
The return of Fofana to training will see him enter competition with Trevoh Chalobah and Tosin Adarabioyo for a starting spot, and we are predicting the Frenchman to win that race ahead of the season opener.
MORE CHELSEA STORIES
Alongside him, Levi Colwill will look to keep up his excellent 2025 as the left centre-back, with there still being rumours that Benoit Badiashile could be on the move.
Despite newfound competition from Jorrel Hato, Marc Cucurella will maintain his place in the side at left-back.
Arguably the first name on the teamsheet, Moises Caicedo will again be a crucial part of the Chelsea side in the heart of midfield.
Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo celebrate after Real Betis Balompie v Chelsea FC - UEFA Conference League Final 2025
Photo by Aitor Alcalde – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
He will once again be joined by South American teammate Enzo Fernandez, whose importance to the side became even larger last season with his 26 combined goals and assists in all competitions.
Ahead of those two, Cole Palmer will start in the number 10 role. This is despite his excellent performance off the right in the Club World Cup final against PSG.
This is because Pedro Neto will feature in that role, holding off competition from Estevao Willian for now.
On the opposite wing, there will be a start for Joao Pedro in one of the multiple roles Chelsea signed him knowing he can play. This is despite his appearances so far in a blue shirt being up front.
Liam Delap will be given the nod in the striker role, with his physical presence something the Blues will rely on up against the likes of Marc Guehi at the back.