Chelsea XI vs West Ham: Confirmed team news, predicted lineup and injury latest for Premier League | OneFootball

Cole Palmer should start as Liam Rosenior’s Blues face another London derby test

Cole Palmer is available to start for Chelsea against West Ham on Saturday.

Palmer has endured an injury-plagued season so far and was on the bench against Napoli because he had only just recovered from a minor thigh strain which saw him miss matches against Pafos and Crystal Palace.

But he came through the Napoli win “absolutely fine”, according to head coach Liam Rosenior, and is “available” to start Saturday’s game at Stamford Bridge.

Trevoh Chalobah was named as a substitute against Napoli but could come back into the starting lineup against the team he scored against in a 5-1 rout at the London Stadium back in August.

After starting two games in a row, Estevao Willian could be handed a rest against the Hammers, despite being a clear Rosenior favourite.

Palmer is likely to start the game and that could see Enzo Fernandez return to his usual central midfield position alongside Moises Caicedo.

But one of Fernandez, Caicedo or captain Reece James may be rested following long shifts against Napoli and with Arsenal to come in the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-finals on Tuesday.

Romeo Lavia and Dario Essugo remain out, though Rosenior has said that Levi Colwill may yet play again this season after resuming running following an anterior cruciate ligament injury sustained in the summer. Mykhailo Mudryk is still unavailable.

Predicted Chelsea XI (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella; Fernandez, Caicedo; Neto, Palmer, Garnacho; Joao Pedro

Injured: Tosin, Essugo, Lavia, Colwill

Unavailable: Mudryk

Time and date: 5:30pm GMT on Saturday January 31, 2026

Venue: Stamford Bridge, London

How to watch: Sky Sports