Chelsea vs Fulham – Team News: Captain left out once again in only curious decision | OneFootball

Chelsea face Fulham at Stamford Bridge in just over an hour, and the teams are in!

There’s not much to say here – Enzo Maresca keeps the same starting team that beat West Ham so comfortably a week ago.

That means Robert Sanchez in goal, with a back four of Malo Gusto, Tosin Adarabioyo, Trevoh Chalobah and Marc Cucurella.

One might have expected Reece James to rotate back into the team after missing last week, but clearly he will just be deployed off the bench as he was against the Hammers.

The midfield pair is Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez, with Pedro Neto and Estevao Willian playing out wide.

Joao Pedro plays in behind Liam Delap, marking their second start together as they try to build some chemistry as a partnership for Maresca.

Here are the full team line-ups for Chelsea vs Fulham (kick off at 12:30 GMT)

CHELSEA:

Chelsea’s team to face Fulham at home.

Chelsea prepare to take on Fulham with weakened team

With a few players out and so many having been sold, the bench does look a little weak. That’s precisely why Alejandro Garnacho is being lined up as a new addition.

Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku are attacking options who are on the way out, leaving us a little short handed despite such a busy and successful summer. It’s reminder that, no matter how many players it feels like we’re buying, there’s still room for plenty more attacking talent.

Cole Palmer’s absence means a second start for Estevao, who shone last week and will be loving all these minutes so early in the season. It’s a pain to miss the magical Palmer, but Estevao is about as good as anyone in world football at replacing him. We can’t wait to see what the wonderkid has up his sleeve for us today.