Jadon Sancho is ineligible to turn out for Chelsea against his parent club, Manchester United, at Old Trafford on Sunday evening.
Chelsea will aim to return to winning ways when they lock horns with Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday evening. And Enzo Maresca has a new roster issue hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Omari Kellyman remains on the sidelines due to his long-term hamstring issue. In addition, Jadon Sancho is ineligible to take on his parent club, Manchester United, due to the terms of the loan agreement between the two clubs.
Meanwhile, Maresca discussed Sancho’s absence and provided an update on Cole Palmer during his pre-match press conference. The Italian tactician was happy to report a full-strength squad apart from Sancho’s unavailability, with the English international also recovering from illness.
The Chelsea manager said, “We are looking good. The players, they are all available. Except for Jadon, he has been ill in the last few days but he cannot play anyway [ineligible vs parent club].”
“We prepared for the Newcastle game to win but unfortunately we lost. Every game, we prepare to try and win. The reason we make changes is because we are all one team and they all deserve to play. With Cole, I hope so [he plays well]. He is going to play, I hope! Cole is doing very good and I said at the start of the season that if we expect 20 goals and 20 assists from him again, then that’s wrong.”
Maresca will ring in the changes when Chelsea and Manchester United clash at Old Trafford, with no player retaining his spot from the midweek EFL Cup clash against Newcastle United. Robert Sanchez will replace Filip Jorgensen between the sticks. The away side will line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of the Spanish international.
The backline will feature Reece James, Wesley Fofana, Levi Colwill, and Malo Gusto. As for the midfield unit, Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia should pair up in the double pivot. Cole Palmer will reprise the no. 10 role, with Noni Madueke and Pedro Neto being the two wide attackers. Finally, Nicolas Jackson will lead the line against Manchester United this weekend.
Predicted Chelsea XI: Sanchez; James, Fofana, Colwill, Gusto; Caicedo, Lavia; Madueke, Palmer, Neto; Jackson
