Chelsea is set to face Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Saturday, marking their return from the October international break. After a challenging September, which included a notable win against José Mourinho’s Benfica, Chelsea demonstrated resilience with a vital late victory over Liverpool to start October successfully.
Injuries Impacting Chelsea’s Lineup
Despite the recent boost in morale, Chelsea’s head coach Enzo Maresca is grappling with significant injury challenges. Several key players will be unavailable for this match, making squad selection critical as they prepare for this early kick-off.
Expected Starting XI for Chelsea
- Goalkeeper: Robert Sánchez – After a tough month, Sánchez has bounced back well, becoming a reliable presence in goal.
- Right Back: Malo Gusto – Expected to fill in for injured Cole Palmer, Gusto will revert to his natural right-back position.
- Centre Back: Trevoh Chalobah – Returning from a suspension, Chalobah will be integral to Chelsea’s defense.
- Centre Back: Wesley Fofana – Fofana returns just in time after missing recent matches due to concussion.
- Left Back: Marc Cucurella – Following a strong performance against Liverpool, Cucurella will likely start after being rested in his international match.
Key Midfield and Forward Changes
- Defensive Midfield: Reece James – Declared fully fit, James will step in to bolster the midfield in light of doubts surrounding Moisés Caicedo and Enzo Fernández.
- Defensive Midfield: Roméo Lavia – As one of the few healthy midfielders, Lavia’s role will be pivotal.
- Right Wing: Estêvão – The young talent is likely to start after his recent stellar performances, including scoring twice for Brazil.
- Attacking Midfield: Facundo Buonanotte – With Palmer injured, Buonanotte may secure a place in the central midfield role.
- Left Wing: Alejandro Garnacho – Garnacho’s dynamic play against Liverpool positions him ahead of some teammates in the selection hierarchy.
- Striker: João Pedro – Consistency sees Pedro retain his spot as lead striker, amid injuries affecting the squad.
This match against an underperforming Nottingham Forest comes at a critical juncture for Chelsea. With injuries testing their depth, a strong response is needed to maintain momentum in the Premier League.
