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The predicted Chelsea line-up for this evening's trip to Manchester City as interim boss Calum McFarlane takes charge of his first-ever senior match
After a turbulent last few days, it is back to the pitch for Chelsea this evening as they take on Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.
Following a poor run of results, and a breakdown in his relationship with the club's board, Enzo Maresca parted company with the Blues on New Year's Day after 18 months in charge at Stamford Bridge. Calum McFarlane, the club's Under-21s head coach, will take charge on an interim basis while the west Londoners look to appoint Maresca 's successor.
McFarlane, who took Friday afternoon's pre-City press conference, will manage his first-ever senior match against one of the best to ever do it in Pep Guardiola. Challenges do not get much more difficult for McFarlane, and it will be interesting to see how the interim boss approaches the game from a tactical point of view.
So, with that being said, Bobby Vincent predicts the XI McFarlane will field at the Etihad Stadium.
Robert Sanchez
New manager, but should be the same goalkeeper. It has been a wonderful start to the season for Sanchez, who looks like a new man in net for the Blues. He can expect a busy evening.
Wesley Fofana
It seems very touch-and-go re Marc Cucurella and his hamstring problem, so there could be a reshuffle in defence. Perhaps Fofana at right-back? It’s something Maresca did plenty of during his time in charge.
Trevoh Chalobah
A staple in Maresca's side, so you find it difficult to see that changing for this game with McFarlane in charge. Not at his best against Bournemouth last time out, Chalobah will need to improve as Chelsea look to keep out the best striker in the Premier League in Erling Haaland.
Benoit Badiashile
If Chelsea had a fully fit squad, then it is hard to see a world where Badiashile starts. That could, however, be the case today if Fofana is used at right-back.
Malo Gusto
Gusto could be the man called upon to start at left-back. Not conventional for the Frenchman by any means, but a position he has experience in over the past couple of seasons especially.
Reece James
Moises Caicedo will serve a one-match suspension after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season against Bournemouth. James could fill in for the Ecuadorian. The Chelsea captain has been tremendous of late and he will need to put in another inspirational performance if the Blues are to get anything from the Etihad.
Enzo Fernandez
Likewise, Chelsea could do with seeing the best version of Fernandez today. He has been very hit-and-miss this season. The Argentine is at his best when he is seeing the ball a lot and dictating play, while being a threat with his third-man runs into the box, but Chelsea might find it difficult to keep possession against Guardiola's City side.
Pedro Neto
There will be calls for McFarlane to use Estevao Willian. He might, it is so difficult to predict what the Under-21s boss will do. But given the magnitude of the game, and its undeniable difficulties, he might choose to use the hard-working Neto on the right.
Cole Palmer
Palmer is set to return to the Etihad this evening and Chelsea's No.10 will be desperate to haunt his former club. A goal last time out from the penalty spot, Palmer will be hoping to add to that in Manchester this evening. McFarlane described Palmer as "ready to go" in Friday’s press conference.
Alejandro Garnacho
A difficult one to predict, the left-hand side. It could well be Neto there and Estevao on the right, but Garnacho might get the nod. His work-rate needs to improve; that is something Maresca spent a lot of time trying to drum into him. You would like to see the Argentine be a bit more decisive and clinical in dangerous areas, too.
Joao Pedro
The Brazil international was used from the bench against Bournemouth, so should theoretically be more ready to go than some of his teammates. Joao Pedro has been in decent form recently in terms of his numbers, but can frustrate with his work on the ball sometimes.
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