Chelsea supporters have endured their fair share of beatings this season, but they would undoubtedly settle for the most stunning triumph against Bournemouth on Tuesday night.
The Blues go into their upcoming clash with Bournemouth without a win in four Premier League games. A 5-0 win over their EFL opponents at the weekend ensured smiles returned to faces after a tough few weeks, but if the league winning streak against the Cherries continues there will be frowns again.
Tinkerman Maresca made a big move for visiting Morecambe at the weekend, with major changes expected again despite the consolation of Chelsea’s win.
This is how the Blues could line up.
TW: Robert Sanchez – For Filip Jorgensen to displace Sanchez as Chelsea’s number one, it will take a little more than conceding a goal against Morecambe.
RB: Malo Gusto – Reece James was back in the starting lineup on Saturday and could return during the week. However, Maresca will have to be careful with his captain given his injury problems.
CB: Tosin Adarabioyo – The outstanding central defender had a lot of fun at the weekend and scored an incredibly rare brace. The addition of Bosman has proven to be a decent addition to the Chelsea squad and he has deftly filled in for Wesley Fofana over the last month.
CB: Levi Colwill – Only three Chelsea players have accrued more minutes than Colwill (1,709) this season, with the centre-back only starting in Premier League games.
LB: Marc Cucurella – Renato Veiga posed no threat to Cucurella, but the summer signing seems primed for a quick exit anyway. The Spaniard is one of Maresca’s favorites.
CM: Moises Caicedo – Caicedo is Chelsea’s most used player this season and his importance to the Blues became clear in his second year. At the end of the 2023/24 season he scored a goal from the halfway line in this game.
CM: Enzo Fernandez – It won’t be long before Maresca brings the Caicedo-Lavia rotation back to the Premier League, with the latter having recently returned from another injury setback. However, like James, the midfielder will be reinstated and Fernandez will start alongside Caicedo on Tuesday.
RM: Pedro Neto – There won’t be many who retain their place after Saturday’s win but Neto could do so as Noni Madueke is suffering from illness.
AM: Cole Palmer – Palmer benefited from the size of the Chelsea squad while Maresca retained his talent for this competition. The English playmaker has scored 19 goals in 20 games this season and has continued to perform well despite the Blues’ recent slump.
LM: Jadon Sancho – Sancho has emerged as Maresca’s preferred option on the left, but it will require an increase in production to attract a demanding fanbase. The winger has scored eight goals this season.
ST: Nicolas Jackson – The Chelsea striker has been out of form over the last month and desperately needs a goal. Maresca perhaps should have given him a few minutes at the weekend, but instead he goes into Tuesday’s game fresh (and goal-shy).