Fernandez return, Estevao decision, Pedro and Delap dilemma - Chelsea predicted XI vs Milan

Chelsea have reasons to be cheerful ahead of the start of a new Premier League season.

The Blues finally ended the elongated 2024/25 campaign with a Club World Cup win in July, and have made some strong additions to the team ahead of a season which promises much.

The likes of Estevao Willian, Liam Delap, Joao Pedro and Jamie Gittens have arrived to strengthen in attack, while Jorrel Hato is an exciting addition in defence, right as the Blues needed him the most.

For while there has been plenty of good news this summer, there has also been one very bad moment. Levi Colwill is set to miss much of this year after it was revealed this week that the centre-back had undergone surgery on an anterior cruciate ligament injury, with Enzo Maresca already calling for another addition in the transfer market.

The news came out not long before the Blues' first pre-season clash against Bayer Leverkusen, with Trevoh Chalobah and Josh Acheampong starting in the heart of defence. But with less than 48 hours between that game and today's fixture against AC Milan, there could be some sweeping changes to the starting XI.

Estevao made a big impression on his first appearance at Stamford Bridge, but will he keep his place in the team, or will Maresca chop and change? Our football.london writers give their opinion below...

Joe Doyle

I think there will be a fair few changes from Friday night's clash - it would be silly not to, with the season so close and so many of Maresca's side not having had a proper break this summer.

Robert Sanchez will start in goal after Filip Jorgensen played against Leverkusen. In defence Reece James will get a start at right-back after coming off the bench on Friday, while Jorrel Hato starts at left-back in place of Marc Cucurella. In the centre, it's a pairing of Tosin Adarabioyo and Chalobah as I think that's who will be starting the Premier League campaign.

In midfield, Enzo Fernandez gets a start after staying on the bench against Leverkusen, and I'd be tempted to have a proper look at Dario Essugo alongside him from the start and give Moises Caicedo a bit of a breather.

In attack, it's a tale of two Pedros as Neto starts on the right and Joao goes up front, with Jamie Gittens starting on the left flank. In the No.10 role, there are a few options, and I think I'd give Estevao a start there to see what he can do. While he did start on the right against Leverkusen, he's played a lot less football than his teammates of late, so should be good to play the first half despite the quick turnaround.

Joe's XI: Sanchez; James, Tosin, Chalobah, Hato; Fernandez, Essugo; Neto, Estevao, Gittens; Pedro.

Kieran Horn

With this as Maresca's final chance to see his Chelsea side in action, I'm expecting a very strong starting XI that could even be the team deployed next weekend against Crystal Palace.

Filip Jorgensen taking the gloves against Leverkusen the other night means Robert Sanchez will almost certainly be back in goal. In front of him, club captain Reece James, new signing Jorrel Hato and Tosin Adarabioyo come in with Marc Cucurella keeping his place.

Enzo Fernandez, who was the only outfield player named on the bench that didn't feature on Friday, will be back at the heart of midfield alongside Moises Caicedo after the latter only played 45 minutes against Leverkusen.

Despite Estevao Willian looking good and scoring on his debut, he will likely be managed carefully with Pedro Neto deployed at right wing instead, while Jamie Gittens gets the nod on the opposite flank after showing very positive signs in a brief cameo.

Chelsea talisman Cole Palmer will be in the middle of those two and behind Joao Pedro, though he will likely go wandering in search of the ball. The Brazil international meanwhile, is looking for his fourth Chelsea goal from just five appearances in blue.

Kieran's XI: Sanchez; James, Tosin, Hato, Cucurella; Fernandez, Caicedo; Neto, Palmer, Gittens; Pedro

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