4 days ago
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Chelsea take on Leeds United at Elland Road this evening and Enzo Maresca is facing some tough decisions regarding the line-up he fields
After a gruelling 90-plus minutes against Premier League leaders Arsenal on Sunday evening, there is not much time to rest for Chelsea, who this evening take on Leeds United at Elland Road.
Enzo Maresca's men fought valiantly considering they were down to 10 men for around 52 minutes of football against the Gunners and came out of the fiercely contested London derby with a point. Maresca was delighted with how his troops battled at the weekend, but there is no more time to reflect on that, with a trip to Leeds on the horizon.
Regarding the line-up the Chelsea head coach chooses at what is set to be a feisty Elland Road, he faces some tough decisions. So, with that being said, Bobby Vincent discusses his predicted Chelsea XI below:
Robert Sanchez
A fine performance from the Chelsea goalkeeper on Sunday evening. Sanchez has really turned things around this season with some top performances. Long may it continue, for his and Chelsea's sake.
Malo Gusto
Reece James could get a rest after a sensational display at Stamford Bridge over the weekend. It was a gruelling match for James, who has in the past struggled with injury problems, so Gusto could be the man to start at right-back in Leeds.
Tosin Adarabioyo
Maresca might be tempted to give Wesley Fofana a rest at Elland Road. This might pave the way for Tosin to return to the side. There is also a shout for Josh Acheampong to play, but Maresca might be swayed by the more experienced option in Tosin.
Trevoh Chalobah
As does this man. A top performance from the 26-year-old defender on Sunday. A goal, yes, but he also did brilliantly in the air against a very physical Arsenal side. Seems a certainty to go again this evening.
Marc Cucurella
Cucurella should also keep his place in the team. There could be a shout to give Jorrel Hato a run out in Leeds, but this sort of game might be more suited for the more experienced Cucurella.
Andrey Santos
Moises Caicedo picked up a first-half red card against Arsenal and the Ecuador international will now miss the next three league games through suspension. Santos could come in and take his place, with Romeo Lavia still injured. Dario Essugo is missing through injury.
Enzo Fernandez
Fernandez could be asked to sit a bit deeper as Maresca looks to solve the problem of not having Caicedo to choose from. The Argentine has been brilliant this season and Chelsea will need another top performance from him tonight.
Pedro Neto
Estevao Willian could be taken out of the side. This seems like a game that Maresca might hold him back for and use him off the bench if necessary. Neto could start on the right-hand side for the Blues.
Cole Palmer
Chelsea fans were desperate to see Palmer take some part against Arsenal, but Maresca - sensibly - opted against using the 23-year-old. The England international could be used behind the striker as the No.10 with Fernandez sitting a bit deeper.
Alejandro Garnacho
Garnacho was used from the bench on Sunday but could come back in the XI this evening. The Argentine has been impressive in recent appearances and will be hoping to continue such form if he is chosen later on.
Liam Delap
Joao Pedro could be used from the bench. Delap's recent cameos have been impressive and he deserves a start in the No.9 role. In what could be a feisty game, it may well be one that suits the physical Delap more.
Bobby has been with football.london for over two years and has been covering Chelsea since the summer of 2022. During that time, he has been front and centre in perhaps the club's most turbulent time with Roman Abramovich selling to Todd Boehly. He is a regular at press conferences and matches, where he has managed to speak to Enzo Maresca and numerous Chelsea players.
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