The Chelsea faithful have enjoyed plenty of triumphs this season, but they would no doubt have been pleased with their most emphatic triumph over Bournemouth on Tuesday night.
The Blues go into their upcoming clash with Bournemouth without a win in four Premier League away games. A 5-0 defeat against EFL opposition at the weekend ensured a few smiles returned to faces after a difficult few weeks, but scowls will reappear if their winless run in the league continues against the Cherries.
Tinkerman Maresca has been heavily rotated for Morecambe’s visit this weekend, with big changes expected again despite the comfort of Chelsea’s win.
Here’s how the Blues could line up.
GK: Robert Sanchez – It will take more than a clean sheet against Morecambe for Filip Jorgensen to unseat Sanchez as Chelsea’s number one.
RB: A little dense – Reece James is back in the starting 11 on Saturday and in contention for a midweek appearance. However, Maresca will have to be careful with his captain given his injury problems.
CB: Tosin Adarabioyo – The tall centre-half enjoyed himself over the weekend, notching an incredibly rare device. Bosman’s arrival has proven to be a decent addition to this Chelsea squad, and he has ably replaced Wesley Fofana over the past month.
CB: Levi Colwill – Only three Chelsea players have played more minutes than Colwill (1,709) this season, with the centre-back exclusively starting Premier League games.
LB: Marc Cucurella – Renato Veiga was not a threat to Cucurelli, but arriving in the summer seems like a quick departure anyway. The Spaniard is one of Maresca’s favourites.
CM: Moises Caicedo – Caicedo is used the most Chelsea player this season, and his importance to the Blues became clear in his second year. He scored from halfway in this match to end the 2023/24 season.
CM: Enzo Fernandez – It won’t be long until Maresca brings the Caicedo x Lavia pivot back to the Premier League, the latter having recently returned from another injury setback. However, like James, the midfielder will return to the spot and Fernandez will start alongside Caiceda on Tuesday.
RM: Pedro Neto – There won’t be many who will keep their place from Saturday’s win, but Neto could with Noni Madueke suffering from illness.
AM: Cole Palmer – Palmer profited from the size of Chelsea’s squad and Maresca saved his genius for this competition. The England playmaker has 19 goals in 20 games this term and has continued to score amid the Blues’ recent slump.
LM: Jadon Sancho – Sancho has emerged as Maresca’s preferred option on the left flank, but will need an uptick in production to win over another demanding fan base. The winger has eight goals this season.
ST: Nicolas Jackson – The Chelsea striker has been out of sorts for the past month and is in desperate need of a goal. Maresca perhaps should have given him some minutes over the weekend, but instead he heads into Tuesday’s game fresh (and shy).
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