How Chelsea could line up for Bournemouth clash with makeshift defence as Jadon Sancho seeks debut
Enzo Maresca has found himself with a dilemma at right-back during his preparations for Chelsea's trip to Bournemouth.
He Blues They will face the Cherries on Saturday night. Live on talkSPORTin search of a second Premier League win of the season.
Chelsea fans could be set for their first glimpse of last-day signing Jadon Sanchowith Cole Palmer set to once again play a key role.
However, Maresca will be without his two veteran right-backs on the south coast with Reece James and Malo Gusto out injured.
“Malo is still out and unavailable for tomorrow's game,” he said of the Frenchman, who suffered a thigh injury in the 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace last time out.
Speaking about club captain James, who has been battling another hamstring problem, Maresca said: “Unfortunately, Reece needs more time.”
Given the absences at right-back, talkSPORT.com has taken a look at what Chelsea's starting XI could look like this weekend. Bournemouth.
Robert Sanchez has been the Blues' goalkeeper for the first three Premier League games and is ready to do so again.
Filip Jorgensen started the Conference League qualifiers against Servette but could miss the game after being substituted by the Danish Under-21s during the international break.
With James and Gusto unavailable, Maresca could turn to Axel Disasi to play at right-back against Bournemouth.
The Frenchman is a natural centre-back but has already played on the right of Chelsea's defence, doing so eight times last season.
Moisés Caicedo is another potential option for the position having played there for Brighton, but he will almost certainly play in midfield.
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Wesley Fofana and Levi Colwill have been Maresca's preferred centre-back partnership in the Premier League so far this season.
They are likely to start again this weekend ahead of Benoit Badiashile and Tosin Adarabioyo, who played against Servette.
At left-back, Marc Cucurella is likely to be named in the starting XI for the fourth consecutive league game, ahead of Ben Chilwell.
Chilwell returns to contention for Chelsea after Be included in the Premier League's 25-man squad and is set to return to training following his exile from the first team.
Romeo Lavia made his debut as a starter for the Blues in the opening weekend 2-0 defeat to Manchester City, but will miss the trip to Bournemouth.
Maresca said he is “very close” to returning to training after a hamstring injury, so Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez are likely to get the nod in midfield.
Carney Chukwuemeka, Cesare Casadei, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Renato Veiga are other options, though all of them are unlikely to feature in the matchday squad.
Noni Madueke will be hoping to return to the starting XI on the right wing after providing the assist for Harry Kane on his England debut on Tuesday.
The 22-year-old shone in Chelsea's 6-2 win over Wolves before the international break by scoring a superb second-half hat-trick.
In attacking midfield, Palmer seems to be the safe choice for Maresca as he remains the Blues' standout player.
He already has one goal and four assists to his name this season and, despite retiring from the England squad, has been training this week and is expected to feature at the Vitality Stadium.
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For the left-wing position, Sancho could be handed his Chelsea debut after signing on loan from Manchester United in a deal that includes an obligation to buy for a total of £25m.
Maresca spoke about his possible inclusion during his pre-match press conference but remained coy as he said: “I decide the first eleven.”
“It depends on the training. Jadon is one of our wingers. I'm seeing exactly what I expected from him.”
“He's a very good player in the final third, in one-on-one situations, with quality in the final third, so he's exactly the player we were looking at. It's a matter of finding the right moment for him and giving him a chance.”
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Mykhailo Mudryk has been the player who has started most of the time on the left flank of the attack this season, but Maresca could opt for Pedro Neto instead, with Sancho coming off the bench if necessary.
Chelsea announced on Friday that Nicolas Jackson has signed a new two-year contract with the club until 2033 and looks set to lead the attack once again.
The Senegal international scored 19 goals in all competitions last season and already has two to his name this campaign, as well as one assist in four appearances.
Joao Felix and Christopher Nkunku have so far scored one and two goals respectively and can play as centre-forward if needed alongside Marc Guiu, although he is unlikely to feature.
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