Predicted XI: Huge decision in one position will tell us a lot about Chelsea key player’s future | OneFootball

Chelsea take on Wolves for the second time in a couple of weeks tonight, this time in the Premier League.

The Blues got a nasty surprise in midweek when they drew with Qarabag in the Champions League, and they’ll be determined to wash the taste of that result out of their mouth with a positive one today.

Maresca’s preferred team needs to deliver

Enzo Maresca with Joao Pedro. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

So what team will Enzo Maresca pick? We’ve got a pretty strong handle on his preferred 11 now, but there are always questions over form and fitness.

Robert Sanchez will play in goal, barring an injury we don’t know about.

Marc Cucurella played in midweek but always seem capable of playing twice in a week when needed. Centrally, Wesley Fofana got through last week’s game and should be fit to start today. It’s a toss up between Josh Acheampong and Trevoh Chalobah alongside him, although we reckon the latter will edge it given he’s more experienced.

There’s an interesting question over Reece James – it’s a huge risk to play him 3 times in one week, even though Maresca now says he’s ready. The team is without doubt weaker without him, but does Maresca take the risk? We reckons he tries to win this one without the captain starting, meaning Malo Gusto gets the nod.

The midfield will be the rested Enzo Fernandez and the not so rested Moises Caicedo. Ahead of them we think Liam Delap gets his first start in the league since his injury leading the line, freeing up Joao Pedro to play a little deeper.

Out wide, Pedro Neto and Alejandro Garnacho are well established as Maresca’s preferred starting duo.

In other news…

We don’t think Maresca will start Estevao today, as you can see, but that’s just what he’s been told to do by some pundits who can’t believe the talented Brazilian isn’t an undisputed starter yet.

Cole Palmer is another one of our top attackers who’s not getting in the team right now. Former Chelsea man Geremi spoke about him today, comparing him to Frank Lampard in his pomp.