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The predicted Chelsea line-up for this evening's Premier League meeting with Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge as Enzo Maresca faces some critical decisions regarding his XI
Enzo Maresca is expected to ring the changes for Chelsea as they welcome Bournemouth to Stamford Bridge this evening. The Blues head coach has got a little bit of a reputation for tinkering and rotating his team in order to try and keep everyone fit for a long season.
With 72 hours separating the final whistle in Chelsea's 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa and kick-off in their home fixture with Bournemouth, Maresca is expected to be cautious with a number of players in order to prevent any unnecessary injuries. In what has now become a must-win fixture for Chelsea, Maresca is facing some critical decisions regarding his line-up.
With all of this being said, football.london takes a look at what the Blues boss might do this evening as he returns to the touchline following his one-match ban.
Robert Sanchez
Sanchez was excellent despite Chelsea losing 2-1 on Saturday. He was very busy in the second-half and if it wasn't for the Spanish goalkeeper, Villa could have took the game beyond the Blues a lot earlier. The 28-year-old will keep his place for this evening's match.
Moises Caicedo
It's something we have seen quite a bit of during Maresca's reign: Caicedo at right-back. Whenever it has happened, it was usually to facilitate Romeo Lavia, but in this case it is slightly different. With Marc Cucurella a doubt due to coming off with a hamstring issue on Saturday, and Jorrel Hato ruled out, Malo Gusto (see below) could be forced to move to left-back. Reece James may well be rested given he completed 90 minutes three days ago.
Wesley Fofana
The Frenchman was named on the bench at the weekend with his workload continuing to be managed. Fofana, though, is set to come back into the side this evening in place of Benoit Badiashile.
Trevoh Chalobah
Chalobah has started 17 of Chelsea's 18 Premier League games this season - with the only one he missed due to suspension. So, in that regard, it seems fairly certain that the England international will retain his place in the team tonight.
Malo Gusto
Even if Cucurella is fit enough to take part, there may be a reluctance to use him from the start with fears that the pain in his hamstring could be aggravated. Gusto has done a fine job at left-back when asked to play there in the past.
Andrey Santos
The shifting round of some players could pave the way for Santos to make his first start since the defeat at Leeds United on December 3. Chelsea supporters have seen glimpses from the Brazil international but he has not had the run in the side to really establish himself at Stamford Bridge yet.
Enzo Fernandez
Fernandez was good in the first-half against Villa at the weekend but his performance got worse when his team's level dropped. Chelsea would like to see more of the Argentine when his team don't have possession.
Estevao Willian
Like his Brazilian compatriot Santos, Estevao has not started since December 3 for the Blues. Maresca might rotate his attacking line a bit, with Alejandro Garnacho dropping out for Estevao.
Cole Palmer
Palmer was taken off with just less than 20 minutes of normal time remaining against Villa at the weekend, much to his disgust, with Maresca perhaps having one eye on the clash with Bournemouth. The Manchester City game comes on Sunday, so there should be enough time - depending on how Palmer's complicated groin problem is - for Chelsea's No.10 to play in both.
Pedro Neto
If Estevao starts on the right, then Neto could move to the other side with Garnacho dropping out. It wasn't Neto's best performance against Villa, so he will be hoping to produce more this evening.
Joao Pedro
The Brazil international is slowly finding his way back into form. Two goals in his last two Premier League games, including the opener against Villa. Liam Delap an option from the bench.
Predicted Chelsea XI: Sanchez; Caicedo, Fofana, Chalobah, Gusto; Santos, Fernandez; Estevao, Palmer, Neto; Joao Pedro
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