Jadon Sancho is in contention to return for Chelsea against Leicester City at the King Power Stadium on Saturday.
Chelsea will aim to return to winning ways when they lock horns with Leicester City at the King Power Stadium on Saturday afternoon. And Enzo Maresca has greeted a mixed bag of updates on the team news front ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Jadon Sancho will be in contention to take on Leicester City after recovering from an illness. In addition, Malo Gusto has shrugged off a knock, while Cole Palmer has overcome a similar problem after missing the international break.
While Maresca has been sweating over the fitness of Wesley Fofana (knee) and Romeo Lavia (hamstring), Reece James has picked up a thigh injury that will keep him on the sidelines for the foreseeable future. Meanwhile, during his pre-match press conference, the Italian tactician spoke about Lavia’s progress in recent weeks.
The Chelsea manager said, “First of all we are happy for Romeo that he is back in the international squad, that is the first thing we have to think. If for any reasons he was not getting minutes, it is not a problem if Romeo keeps doing the right things and he is there the next time.”
“The important thing for him and for us is that Romeo is back to his level and back with the international team. The reason why he is not available for the Conference League squad is because we want to take care of him – players like Romeo and Wesley Fofana and those players who were injured last year.”
With Lavia fit and available, the Belgian midfielder will pair up with Moises Caicedo in the double pivot in the middle of the park. Cole Palmer will reprise the no. 10 role, with Noni Madueke and Pedro Neto being the two wide attackers. Nicolas Jackson is an automatic pick to lead the line for Chelsea against Leicester City. Jadon Sancho will be an option on the bench.
The backline should not see any changes, with Malo Gusto and Marc Cucurella being the two full-backs. Wesley Fofana and Levi Colwill will pair up at the heart of the defence, with Robert Sanchez taking his spot between the sticks.
Predicted Chelsea XI: Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Lavia; Madueke, Palmer, Neto; Jackson
