Enzo Maresca has just taken his press conference ahead of Chelsea’s game against Crystal Palace on Sunday, and he had some updates on the injury situation at the club.
Right now it’s about as good as it’s been for possibly 2 or 3 years. There are just two players out, and neither of them has a long term issue. Given that we’ve had at least one long term and multiple short term issues within the squad for consecutive seasons, this is as good as it gets.
Maresca confirmed today that the same two players who were out for Thursday’s game will be out for Sunday too. Reece James is out with a hamstring problem picked up right at the end of preseason, while Romeo Lavia’s tweak from last week seems to have persisted.
That’s the only slight worry – what looked like it was going to be just one game out has already become 3. But in both cases there’s probably a lot of caution going into this decision. After Sunday’s game there’s a two week break, so there’s no point pushing anyone who doesn’t need to be pushed.
Maresca’s preferred lineup becoming clear
With those two absences in mind, and 4 competitive games now played under the new manager, it’s becoming more clear what his preferred selection is. The back 5 is set and rested: Robert Sanchez will play in goal, Marc Cucurella and Malo Gusto at full back, Levi Colwill and Wesley Fofana in the centre.
In midfield things get interesting. Moises Caicedo is a certainty after only appearing as a sub in midweek. Enzo Fernandez started that game, but with Lavia out will likely have to do a double shift, with Cole Palmer ahead of them.
In attack, Nicolas Jackson will lead the line, with a fresh Pedro Neto on one side and likely Noni Madueke on the other.
