Cole Palmer and Reece James will return to the Chelsea starting lineup when they take on Newcastle United at St. James’ Park on Saturday.
Chelsea will be eager to continue the recent winning run when they lock horns with Newcastle United at St. James’ Park on Saturday afternoon. Enzo Maresca has no new issues to worry about ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Estevao Willian is the latest absentee after picking up a muscular injury. However, the Brazilian international will only be on the sidelines for a few days. He has joined Levi Colwill (knee), Romeo Lavia (hamstring), Dario Essugo (thigh), and Liam Delap (shoulder) in the treatment room.
Additionally, Mykhailo Mudryk continues his suspension after failing a doping test several months ago. Meanwhile, during his pre-match press conference, Maresca provided fitness updates on Delap, Estevao, Lavia, and Essugo.
The Chelsea manager said, “We are good (on his squad’s fitness levels ahead of the trip to the North-East). We probably have Liam Delap and Estevao Willian back for the game against Aston Villa [on 27 December), which is good news. But Romeo (Lavia) is still out, Dario Essugo is still out and Levi (Colwill) is still out.”
“With Liam, we said since he suffered the injury (shoulder) that we didn’t know exactly for how long he would be out, but he is progressing very well. For me, playing at Newcastle is always difficult. Night or day, they are a very good team.”
Robert Sanchez is an automatic pick between the sticks, with Chelsea lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of him against Newcastle United on Saturday. The backline will feature Reece James, Trevoh Chalobah, Wesley Fofana, and Marc Cucurella.
As for the midfield unit, there is no looking past Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez in the double pivot. Cole Palmer will reprise the no. 10 role, with Pedro Neto and Alejandro Garnacho being the two wide attackers. Finally, Joao Pedro will lead the line for the away side against Newcastle United on Saturday. So, Jamie Gittens will be a backup option on the bench for the Blues on Saturday.
Predicted Chelsea XI: Sanchez; Reece James, Chalobah, Fofana, Cucurella; Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez; Neto, Palmer, Garnacho; Joao Pedro
