Jadon Sancho will likely make his Chelsea bow off the bench, while Joao Felix and Axel Disasi should feature in the starting lineup against Bournemouth on Saturday.
Chelsea will aim to return to winning ways when they lock horns with Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday night. And Enzo Maresca has a new injury concern hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Malo Gusto is the latest absentee, with the Frenchman recovering from the thigh injury that forced him to miss out on international duty with France’s under-21 team. In addition, Omari Kellyman and Reece James remain on the sidelines due to their thigh injuries. The latter has served his suspension but is unavailable to take on Bournemouth.
Meanwhile, Maresca has been sweating over the fitness of Filip Jorgensen (knock), Romeo Lavia (thigh), and Cole Palmer (groin) heading into the weekend. The Italian tactician provided a fitness update on Palmer during his pre-match press conference, saying, “He [Palmer] is fit, fine and we are happy with the way he is.”
The Chelsea manager also discussed Jadon Sancho during the presser, saying, “He is a quality player in the last third, an accurate player, and a player who in terms of the last pass or assist is very good. When he has a chance to finish the action, shoot or assist, it is very good.”
“He is a similar kind of winger to Noni, who I’ve said since pre-season is working very well with us, creating chances, scoring, and off the ball, like against Palace, is defending. So these kind of things. We are excited to give him some chances but also we have players who since the start of the seas are doing well – Pedro, Misha in some moments.”
Sancho will have to wait for his first start for Chelsea, with Noni Madueke continuing on the right flank. However, Joao Felix should feature from the get-go, joining Madueke, Cole Palmer, and Nicolas Jackson in the final third. As for the midfield unit, Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo will pair up in the double pivot.
The backline should see one change, with Axel Disasi replacing Gusto as the right-back. The Frenchman will join Wesley Fofana, Levi Colwill, and Marc Cucurella on the sidelines. Finally, Robert Sanchez is an automatic pick between the sticks for the away side.
Predicted Chelsea XI: Sanchez; Disasi, Fofana, Colwill, Cucurella; Enzo Fernandez, Caicedo; Madueke, Palmer, Felix; Jackson
Jadon Sancho will likely make his Chelsea bow off the bench, while Joao Felix and Axel Disasi should feature in the starting lineup against Bournemouth on Saturday.
Chelsea will aim to return to winning ways when they lock horns with Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday night. And Enzo Maresca has a new injury concern hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Malo Gusto is the latest absentee, with the Frenchman recovering from the thigh injury that forced him to miss out on international duty with France’s under-21 team. In addition, Omari Kellyman and Reece James remain on the sidelines due to their thigh injuries. The latter has served his suspension but is unavailable to take on Bournemouth.
Meanwhile, Maresca has been sweating over the fitness of Filip Jorgensen (knock), Romeo Lavia (thigh), and Cole Palmer (groin) heading into the weekend. The Italian tactician provided a fitness update on Palmer during his pre-match press conference, saying, “He [Palmer] is fit, fine and we are happy with the way he is.”
The Chelsea manager also discussed Jadon Sancho during the presser, saying, “He is a quality player in the last third, an accurate player, and a player who in terms of the last pass or assist is very good. When he has a chance to finish the action, shoot or assist, it is very good.”
“He is a similar kind of winger to Noni, who I’ve said since pre-season is working very well with us, creating chances, scoring, and off the ball, like against Palace, is defending. So these kind of things. We are excited to give him some chances but also we have players who since the start of the seas are doing well – Pedro, Misha in some moments.”
Sancho will have to wait for his first start for Chelsea, with Noni Madueke continuing on the right flank. However, Joao Felix should feature from the get-go, joining Madueke, Cole Palmer, and Nicolas Jackson in the final third. As for the midfield unit, Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo will pair up in the double pivot.
The backline should see one change, with Axel Disasi replacing Gusto as the right-back. The Frenchman will join Wesley Fofana, Levi Colwill, and Marc Cucurella on the sidelines. Finally, Robert Sanchez is an automatic pick between the sticks for the away side.
Predicted Chelsea XI: Sanchez; Disasi, Fofana, Colwill, Cucurella; Enzo Fernandez, Caicedo; Madueke, Palmer, Felix; Jackson