Having finally made their breakthrough under Enzo Maresca, Chelsea are enduring a miserable time at the start of the new year.
The problems began at the end of December when Chelsea suffered surprise defeats against Fulham and Ipswich Town and subsequent Premier League draws against Crystal Palace and Bournemouth did little to boost their confidence. They have a chance to find their form again against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Monday evening.
Chelsea are not currently inundated with injuries, but Enzo Maresca has warned that Cole Palmer, Enzo Fernandez, Romeo Lavia and Levi Colwill are all doubts about a visit from Wolves. The Italian admitted that none of the four trained on Friday, although they are still fighting to play.
This is how Chelsea could play against Wolves.
TW: Robert Sanchez – Despite regular mistakes, Sanchez still seems to have the support of Maresca. The Spaniard’s distribution was questionable again during the 2-2 draw with Bournemouth in midweek and he was beaten too easily at his near post by Antoine Semenyo.
RB: Reece James – The Cobham graduate saved Chelsea with a 95th-minute free-kick on Tuesday night and could be playing in the Premier League for the first time since the draw at Old Trafford in early November.
CB: Trevoh Chalobah – After being recalled from his loan spell at Crystal Palace, Chalobah could be called into the starting lineup against Wolves straight away. Benoit Badiashile and Wesley Fofana are injured, Tosin Adarabioyo is out of favor and Josh Acheampong struggled against Bournemouth.
CB: Levi Colwill – Although it is questionable on Monday whether Colwill will feature if he is reasonably fit given the problems with Chelsea’s centre-back. The likes of Adarabioyo and the versatile Renato Veiga can replace him if needed.
LB: Marc Cucurella – The Spaniard was at the center of the controversy surrounding Bournemouth’s David Brooks on Tuesday and will be hoping for a less eventful evening against Wolves.
DM: Moises Caicedo – Caicedo was initially used as a right-back against Bournemouth, but was moved back into defensive midfield in the second half. He was scheduled to compete there on Monday against his South American colleagues Joao Gomes and Andre.
DM: Enzo Fernandez – Although Monday is also a doubt, Fernandez is needed given the absence of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and questions over Lavia’s fitness.
RW: Pedro Neto – Noni Madueke scored a hat-trick earlier in the season but it could be former Wolves star Neto who gets the nod. The energetic Portuguese has continued to impress since his move in the summer.
AM: Cole Palmer – Palmer will be assessed shortly before kick-off after being treated harshly by Bournemouth during the week. He is another player who will be guaranteed a starting spot if he is deemed fit enough to play.
LW: Jadon Sancho – Sancho completed more dribbles than any other player against the Cherries and his direct approach could unsettle a Wolves side lacking confidence. The Old Gold have conceded eight goals in their last three league games.
ST: Nicolas Jackson – The Senegalese striker looked like the Jackson of old midweek and missed several great chances. He did provide an assist for Palmer’s shot, but failed to score despite an expected goals total of 1.11.