By 90min | Created at 2025-04-02 19:12:30 | Updated at 2025-04-03 23:45:43
1 day ago
Chelsea's first assignment following the March international break sees them host London rivals Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League on Thursday night.
The Blues entered the international period following a tepid 1-0 defeat to Arsenal that set back their charge for Champions League qualification, but they're hoping to make amends against their other north London adversaries midweek.
Chelsea know victory will see them enter the weekend's round of fixtures perched inside the top four and the return of several previously injured stars should boost morale ahead of Tottenham's visit.
Here is how Enzo Maresca's side could line up.
Nicolas Jackson should return to the starting lineup / Carl Recine/GettyImages
GK: Robert Sanchez - Maresca has chopped and changed his goalkeepers since the turn of the year, which is unlikely to have helped either. Despite frequent errors this term, Sanchez earned a start over Filip Jorgensen last time out.
RB: Malo Gusto - Reece James has been preferred in midfield over recent weeks, meaning Gusto has a clear route into the starting lineup at right-back. The Frenchman will have to be alert to stifle Son Heung-min, although the Spurs star has only scored three times in 20 battles with the Blues.
CB: Wesley Fofana - Fofana has helped shore up Chelsea's rearguard since his return from a long-term injury and he should move to centre-back having featured at right-back during recent outings.
CB: Levi Colwill - Despite featuring in England's squad over the international period, former Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel didn't call upon Colwill. The centre-half should be well-rested for his duel with compatriot Dominic Solanke.
LB: Marc Cucurella - The Spaniard has provided two goals and an assist in his last five Chelsea outings but will have to be wary of Brennan Johnson from a defensive standpoint on Thursday.
DM: Moises Caicedo - Caicedo has had time to recover from the long trip to and from South America over the international break, with the Ecuador international key to keeping James Maddison under wraps against Spurs.
DM: Enzo Fernandez - The 24-year-old has been in impressive creative form over recent weeks and even scored and assisted during Argentina's 4-1 demolition of Brazil.
RW: Noni Madueke - Maresca has confirmed that Madueke is available once more after suffering a hamstring injury in mid-February. He's managed ten goal contributions in the Premier League this season and his creativity has been sorely missed.
AM: Cole Palmer - Palmer hasn't been in usual scintillating form lately but his absence limited Chelsea's effectiveness in the final third against Arsenal. Maresca has revealed the attacking midfielder is also back.
LW: Pedro Neto - Neto has been used as a striker in the absence of Nicolas Jackson with mixed degrees of success, but the Portuguese should now return to his more natural wide berth.
ST: Nicolas Jackson - Chelsea have been desperately short of an orthodox centre-forward since injuries to Jackson and Marc Guiu. Luckily, the Senegalese is back and aiming to continue his strong record against Spurs - four goals in three past clashes.
