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The Chelsea faithful have enjoyed plenty of thrashings this season, but they will no doubt be satisfied with the most paltry victory over Bournemouth on Tuesday night.
The Blues head into their next clash with Bournemouth without a win in four Premier League outings. 5-0 thrashing of EFL opposition The weekend ensured some smiles returned to faces after a few weeks away, but frowns will be raised again if their winless league run against the Cherries is extended.
Tinkerman Maresca made a heavy rotation for the visit of Morecambe at the weekend, again expecting wholesale changes despite the comfort of Chelsea’s victory.
Here’s how the Blues could line up.
GK: Robert Sanchez – It will take little more than a clean sheet against Morecambe for Phillip Jorgensen to supplant Sanchez as Chelsea’s number one.
RB: Malo wants – Reece James returned to the starting XI on Saturday and was in contention to feature in midweek. However, Maresca will have to be wary of his captain given his injury woes.
CB: Tosin Adarabio – An incredibly rare brace, the towering center half enjoyed himself at the weekend. Bosman’s arrival has proved to be a worthy addition to this Chelsea squad, and he has filled in for Wesley Fofana well over the last month.
CB: Levi Colville – Only three Chelsea players have logged more minutes of game time than Colville (1,709) this season, with the centre-back starting Premier League games.
LB: Mark Cucurella – Renato Veiga was no threat to Cucurella, but the summer arrival looks set for a quick departure anyway. The Spaniard is one of Maresca’s favorites.
CM: Moises Caesdo – Caicedo is the most used Chelsea Player of the season, and his importance to the Blues has become clear in year two. He finished 2023/24 by scoring from the halfway line in this fixture.
Chief Minister: Enzo Fernandez – It won’t be long until Maresca returns the Caicedo x Lavia pivot to the Premier League with the latter recently returning from another injury setback. Like James, however, the midfielder will return and Fernandez will start alongside Caicedo on Tuesday.
RM: Pedro Neto – There won’t be many who will retain their place from Saturday’s win, but Neto may be suffering from illness along with Noni Maduke.
AM: Cole Palmer – While Palmer benefited from the size of Chelsea’s squad, Maresca retained his talent for the competition. The English playmaker has contributed 19 goals in 20 games this term and has continued to produce amid the Blues’ recent slump.
LM: Jadon Sancho – Sancho has emerged as Maresca’s preferred option on the left, but will need to step up production to win over other demanding fans. The winger has contributed eight goals this term.
ST: Nicholas Jackson – The Chelsea forward has been out of favor over the past month and is in desperate need of a goal. Maresca probably should have given him some minutes over the weekend, but he instead heads into Tuesday’s game fresh (and goal-shy).
