Jadon Sancho during a Chelsea game(Image: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

Sancho dropped, Fofana replacement, Nkunku starts - Chelsea XI Maresca should pick vs Liverpool

football.london's panel of Chelsea writers debate what team they would choose if they were Enzo Maresca as the head coach prepares to take on Liverpool at Anfield

19 Oct 2024, 05:00 by Joe Doyle, Bobby Vincent · football.london

Chelsea face their toughest away game of the season so far on Sunday afternoon as they travel to Liverpool.

Anfield plays host as the Reds entertain the Blues in first versus fourth. Enzo Maresca, though, who won the Premier League's Manager of the Month award for September, will have to do it without two key defenders in Wesley Fofana and Marc Cucurella, who are both serving a one-match ban after accumulating five yellow cards already this season.

So, what sort of team will Maresca choose at Anfield, one of the most difficult stadiums to get a result from in the Premier League? Below, football.london's panel of Chelsea writers debate what they would do...

Joe Doyle

It's a huge clash for Chelsea this weekend, make no mistake. While there are a few issues due to suspension, I think much of the team will pick itself based on recent performances.

In goal, Robert Sanchez starts. There have been some issues this season, but with Filip Jorgensen's injury on international duty, it's an easy choice.

In defence is where the issues lie for Maresca. While Reece James has returned to first-team training, there's no way he should be thrown straight into the squad. Malo Gusto starts at right-back, with Tosin Adarabioyo replacing the suspended Fofana as the right-sided centre-back.

Levi Colwill the man to partner Tosin at the centre of defence. Renato Veiga is the obvious choice to come in at left-back.

In midfield, despite their long flights home from international duty this week, Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez start. And they're joined by an attacking trio of Noni Madueke, Cole Palmer and Pedro Neto.

While Nicolas Jackson has impressed so far this season, I think up against Virgil van Dijk I'd fancy Christopher Nkunku to cause some more issues with his link-up play, so he starts.

Joe's XI: Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Tosin, Veiga; Fernandez, Caicedo; Madueke, Palmer, Neto; Nkunku.

Bobby Vincent

Sanchez gets the nod in goal while the back four almost picks itself due to the double suspension of Fofana and Cucurella. Tosin comes in to partner Colwill, while Veiga replaces Cucurella and Gusto keeps his spot at right-back.

In midfield, there might be a temptation to put Romeo Lavia in due to the level of opposition. However, I do not think he will throw the Belgian into a game like this with such few minutes on the pitch in recent weeks. Caicedo and Fernandez to go again in the middle of the park.

Madueke on the right wing, Palmer in the No.10 role and Jadon Sancho on the left-hand side. There has been plenty of discussion among supporters about what they would do up front - Nkunku or Jackson? Personally, I think Jackson deserves to keep his place.

He caused Van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate all kinds of problems when the two teams met at Stamford Bridge in the first weekend of the 2023/24 season. The Senegal international will be hoping to get the opportunity to do that again on Sunday.

Bobby's XI: Sanchez; Gusto, Tosin, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Madueke, Palmer, Sancho; Jackson.

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