1 week ago
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The predicted Chelsea line-up for this evening's Champions League fixture with Napoli as the Blues look to secure a place in the knockout stages of the competition
Liam Rosenior has perhaps his most difficult challenge as Chelsea head coach yet this evening, with his side away at Napoli knowing that even a win might not be enough to secure their passage into the knockout stages of the Champions League.
Rosenior and the Blues will be desperate to avoid next month's two-legged playoff tie and a victory at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium might be enough to secure that. However, Chelsea are one of eight sides on 13 points going into tonight's final matchday, with all games kicking off at the same time.
Chelsea boast a goal difference of +6, only one better than Barcelona and Sporting CP, who face Copenhagen and Athletic Club respectively tonight. Should the Blues beat Napoli this evening by a single goal, and Barcelona and Sporting win by a margin of three or more, Rosenior's side will most likely have to take part in February's playoff round.
There are all sorts of permutations, but first things first, Chelsea need to secure the three points in Naples. Rosenior faces some tough decisions regarding his line-up this evening and Bobby Vincent tries to predict the route the Chelsea head coach will go down:
Robert Sanchez
No doubt about this one. Sanchez has been fantastic this season and is the undisputed No.1 goalkeeper at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea might need another big performance from the Spaniard against a dangerous Napoli.
Malo Gusto
Gusto could be used at right-back in one of three predicted changes from Sunday's win over Crystal Palace. The Frenchman was often called upon by Enzo Maresca in these big games, so let's see if his successor Rosenior follows suit this evening.
Wesley Fofana
You can only assume Fofana's absence from the XI at the weekend was with the trip to Naples in Rosenior's mind. The Frenchman has impressed when called upon this season and will need to be at his absolute best tonight if he does indeed start.
Trevoh Chalobah
Chalobah has been Chelsea's most trusted central defender this season. That was the case under Maresca and it seems to be similar with Rosenior. He will be looking to build on a really impressive display at Selhurst Park on Sunday afternoon.
Marc Cucurella
Not been at his absolute best recently but there is no doubting the Spanish left-back's importance to this Chelsea side. While Jorrel Hato continues to impress under Rosenior, he might go for the more experienced option in Cucurella tonight.
Reece James
The captain might be asked to do a job in midfield with Gusto at right-back. Rosenior may look for more physicality against a very impressive Napoli midfield.
Moises Caicedo
In the biggest games, you need your best players. There is no doubting Caicedo is one of them for Chelsea. The Blues will require a Caicedo-level performance from the Ecuadorian as they look to progress into the knockout stages of the Champions League.
Cole Palmer
If he is deemed fit enough to start, there could be scope for Palmer to play on the right wing. The 23-year-old has a thigh problem but has trained in the last two days, so whichever route Rosenior decides to go down re Palmer, it is a risk for Chelsea.
Enzo Fernandez
With James and Caicedo providing the base to Chelsea's midfield, it could allow Fernandez to be used in a more advanced position when the visitors attack in Naples. Fernandez has been excellent in recent games and the Blues need him to continue such form in Italy.
Pedro Neto
While Neto has frustrated in recent games, there is no doubting the Portuguese's work-rate and its significance to the Chelsea side. In such a big game like this, the energy on the left-hand side from Neto could be crucial in the Blues taking three points away from Naples.
Joao Pedro
Recently the Brazil international has looked back to his best. It's two in two now for the 24-year-old, who could lead the line for the west Londoners.
Predicted Chelsea XI: Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella; Caicedo, James; Palmer, Fernandez, Neto; Joao Pedro
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