Cucurella dropped and Palmer not risked – Enzo Maresca’s post international plans | OneFootball

With 7 fixtures played, we go into the October international break with Chelsea fans in a significantly better mood than they were a week ago.

The Blues beat Benfica on Tuesday night then Liverpool on Saturday despite a host of injuries to put themselves in a much stronger position in two competitions and relieve the pressure that had been building on Enzo Maresca.

Even better, the two week break will allow tired players to rest and injured ones to return to fitness. An exceptional number of Blues have been left out of their national team squads this time around, giving an unusually big mid-season chance to regroup.

Chelsea’s expected team post-international break returns

Facundo Buonanotte celebrates his first Chelsea goal. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

So what team do we expect them Chelsea return? There will suddenly be major options for Maresca. Here’s how we think he lines up for our next game, against Nottingham Forest in the early kick off next weekend.

In goal Robert Sanchez will stay as undisputed number one. At right back, Reece James will have had a break after missing England duty and should start.

In the middle, Wesley Fofana will be back from his concussion and should be ready to go again. His partner will be a coin toss between Trevoh Chalobah and Benoit Badiashile – given how well the latter played against Liverpool, we reckon he gets the nod.

Marc Cucurella will have played for Spain after a punishing run with Chelsea – if there was ever a game to rest him, this was it. Jorrel Hato might get the nod here, given the rest of the back line will be strong.

More questions in attacking positions

In midfield, Moises Caicedo is undroppable and should be fresh after a break. Enzo Fernandez likely will be rested because of international duty. Andrey Santos should be fit however. We suspect Cole Palmer won’t be risked. That means we could see Facundo Buonanotte starting, with Estevao Willian kept back to make a second half impact?

Pedro Neto will play on the right wing and Alejandro Garnacho on the left.

Liam Delap will be closing in on a return – but until he is ready, Joao Pedro will soldier on.