“A lot more to offer” – Why Enzo Maresca is certain to pick top dribbler today | OneFootball

We’ve just put out our predicted XI for this afternoon’s game against Brighton, and one area which we highlighted as potentially interesting was in attack.

Cole Palmer is out and Facundo Buonanotte can’t play against his parent club, ruling out a repeat of the team from midweek or the team from last weekend. So what direction will Enzo Maresca go in? We’ve predicted he will pick his favourite Pedro Neto on one side, and Estevao Willian on the other.

That leaves Alejandro Garnacho and Jamie Gittens on the bench. On the London is Blue podcast, analyst CFCCentral had thoughts about the same thing.

Estevao the perfect choice to take on Brighton full backs

Estevao Willian takes on Calvin Bassey. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

“Garnacho has played just 60 minutes, after a third of a year out, [he’s unfit]. Gittens has looked a little out of sorts. He might have a little joy in this game because there will be space to exploit, especially against a weaker fullback. So I don’t know if that ties into Maresca’s thinking,” the analyst said.

“Estevao has showed that he’s got a lot more to offer on that right hand side where he will be up against I believe will be the weaker full back. There’s a lot that he can exploit.”

Chelsea need winger to fill Palmer gap

We’re fully on board with that logic. Estevao has sparkled when given the chance, far more than those rivals. He was so unlucky that a red card to Robert Sanchez meant he was subbed off early last weekend, and we’re sure Maresca wants to make it up to him today with another chance. With Palmer out, he’s our best chance of creating anything.

The fact that he didn’t start in midweek is another clue that the manager plans to use the Brazilian this afternoon.