Chelsea will be eager to return to winning ways when they welcome Bournemouth to Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night. Enzo Maresca has a new injury concern to worry about ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Maresca is sweating over Marc Cucurella’s fitness after he went off in the second half of the game against Aston Villa due to a suspected hamstring issue. Additionally, Levi Colwill (knee), Dario Essugo (thigh), Jorrel Hato (knock), and Romeo Lavia (hamstring) remain in the treatment room.
However, Wesley Fofana will return to the team in the midweek Premier League clash, as Maresca only excluded the French defender from the lineup to manage his workload. During his pre-match press conference, the Italian tactician provided fitness updates on Fofana, Hato, Reece James, and Cole Palmer.
The Chelsea manager said, “For Bournemouth, no, I don’t think [Hato will be ready to feature]. Fofana was unused against Aston Villa solely to manage his fitness condition. We will need to see how they [Reece James and Cole Palmer] are.”
“Then we will need to decide [if they face Bournemouth]. Reece is doing very well, no matter which position he is playing, he is helping a lot. After the effort against Aston Villa, we will have to see how he is for Bournemouth. But again, we are happy that he is fit.”
Robert Sanchez is an automatic pick between the sticks, with Chelsea lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of him against Bournemouth on Tuesday. The defensive line should feature Reece James at right-back, with Wesley Fofana and Trevoh Chalobah forming the central defensive unit. On the left flank, Malo Gusto will deputise if Cucurella fails to recover in time.
As for the midfield unit, Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo will operate as the double pivot again. Ahead of them, Pedro Neto will start on the right wing, with Cole Palmer reprising the no. 10 role. Alejandro Garnacho will feature on the left flank, with Joao Pedro leading the line for the home side against Bournemouth. So, Estevao Willian and Jamie Gittens will be among the backup options on the bench.
Predicted Chelsea XI: Sanchez; James, Fofana, Chalobah, Gusto; Enzo Fernandez, Caicedo; Neto, Palmer, Garnacho; Joao Pedro
