Yahoo Sports Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca to leave fans shocked with attacking change for trip to Southampton
Chelsea will continue their impressive Premier League campaign with a clash against Southampton at Saint Mary’s Stadium on Wednesday night.
Fresh off a commanding 3-0 win over Aston Villa on Sunday, the Blues journey to the south coast to take on the relegation battlers perched at the bottom of the table.
Chelsea have barely had time to recover after their thumping victory over Villa, so manager Enzo Maresca will likely ring the changes for his first Premier League action in midweek this season.
The Italian manager has rotated his squad extensively in the Europa Conference League, but the Premier League is a priority for the Blues.
It remains to be seen if he’ll continue that trend against Southampton, but injury concerns and player fitness could force his hand once again.
Maresca will need to address the absence of Wesley Fofana at the heart of the defence, with the Frenchman picking up a hamstring problem against Villa.
The manager has confirmed that the former Leicester City star will be sidelined for several weeks, paving the way for his countryman Benoit Badiashile to partner Levi Colwill in central defence.
Malo Gusto could also return to the starting XI, shifting Moises Caicedo back into his preferred midfield role.
The Ecuadorian midfielder started at right-back against Villa and did an exceptional job, helping the Blues keep a clean sheet.
His return to the middle of the park could come at the expense of Romeo Lavia, who could be handed a breather after playing 86 minutes against Villa.
In attack, Noni Madueke may come in for Pedro Neto while Joao Felix takes Jadon Sancho’s spot on the left wing.
Chelsea talisman Cole Palmer will likely retain his place in the starting XI after his man-of-the-match performance against Villa, but the most eye-catching tweak might come at the top end of the pitch.
Chelsea’s top scorer, Christopher Nkunku, might be handed his first Premier League start this season at the expense of Nicolas Jackson, who opened the scoring in the 3-0 rout last time out.
Predicted Chelsea XI
(4-2-3-1): Robert Sanchez; Marc Cucurella, Levi Colwill, Benoit Badiashile, Malo Gusto; Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez; Joao Felix, Cole Palmer, Noni Madueke; Christopher Nkunku.
