Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson will return to the Chelsea starting lineup against Everton at Goodison Park on Sunday.
Chelsea will aim to continue the exceptional winning run when they lock horns with Everton at Goodison Park on Sunday afternoon. And Enzo Maresca has a new roster issue hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Marc Cucurella is the latest absentee, as he will serve a one-match suspension after picking up his fifth booking of the 2024/25 Premier League season last weekend. The Spanish international has joined Reece James (hamstring), Wesley Fofana (thigh), Benoit Badiashile (unspecified), Omari Kellyman (hamstring), and Mykhailo Mudryk on the sidelines.
However, there is some good news, as Romeo Lavia should be fit and available to take on Everton on Sunday. Meanwhile, during his pre-match press conference, Maresca discussed Lavia’s progress and provided other team news updates.
The Chelsea manager said, “Joao is back, you saw Joao [against Shamrock Rovers], but Romeo will probably struggle to play on Sunday. But we will see tomorrow [Friday]. Both [Badiashile and Fofana] are still out and will still be out for a long period.”
“Reece will start with us for part of the session. So slowly, slowly is moving forward. That doesn’t mean he will be with us on Sunday or next Sunday. Tomorrow, part of the session will be with him managed then it’s building the right condition for him.”
Maresca’s comments suggest Romeo Lavia might not be fit enough to start against Everton on Sunday. That might force the Chelsea manager to hand a fringe player a rare start in the middle of the park, considering Moises Caicedo might play as a makeshift right-back in James and Cucurella’s absence.
So, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall should pair up with Enzo Maresca in the double pivot, with Caicedo joining Tosin Adarabioyo, Levi Colwill, and Malo Gusto in the backline. Robert Sanchez will take his spot between the sticks, with the home side lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of him.
Cole Palmer will reprise his usual no. 10 role, with Pedro Neto and Jadon Sancho being the two wide attackers. Finally, Nicolas Jackson will lead the line for the home side against Everton at Goodison Park on Sunday.
Predicted Chelsea XI: Sanchez; Caicedo, Adarabioyo, Colwill, Gusto; Dewsbury-Hall, Enzo Fernandez; Pedro Neto, Palmer, Sancho; Jackson
