Chelsea vs Fulham – Team News: Enzo Maresca hands explosive winger unexpected start with Madueke out | OneFootball

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

The Christmas schedule is starting to kick in, and we expected changes for today’s game, but instead Enzo Maresca picks his current available first XI.

That means Robert Sanchez in goal, with Marc Cucurella returning at left back after suspension.

Tosin Adarabioyo keeps his place at centre back, with so many other defenders out. He partners Levi Colwill in the middle, with Malo Gusto at right back.

In midfield, the South American pair of Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo are holding things down, with Cole Palmer ahead of them. The attack has Nicolas Jackson leading the line flanked by Pedro Neto and Jadon Sancho.

We had suspected Neto would be rested after two starts in a row – but the absence of Noni Madueke on the bench is a clue that perhaps the England international is ill or injured, forcing Maresca into starting Neto for a third time running.

Everton provided a really tough opposition last time out, and the team looked a little tired for the first time this season. We hope playing at home gives them an injection of energy.

Here are the full team line-ups for Chelsea vs Fulham (kick off at 15:00 GMT)

CHELSEA:

A strong team picked today means changes are almost certain on Monday night when we face Ipswich. The plan might have been different before, but having dropped points against Everton at the weekend, clearly the priority is to get back to winning ways today.

Maresca has used his subs quite late – and quite infrequently – in recent games. Today, if we can get a lead, we expect more changes, more early in the game as the coach likely looks to do his best to limit the minutes handed out to his first choice XI.