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Predicted XI: Enzo Maresca faces huge question mark over dropped Enzo Fernandez and Chelsea shape

Predicted XI: Enzo Maresca faces huge question mark over dropped Enzo Fernandez and Chelsea shape

Usually Christmas feels packed full of games – in this case, Chelsea have had their first week off for a while, meaning that today’s clash with Aston Villa has felt like a long time coming.

Soccer News / Chelsea News / December 27

This one Chelsea weakness makes Aston Villa favourites tonight claims Sky Sports prediction

Sky Sports’ predictions for today’s huge Chelsea – Aston Villa game are in, and it’s not good for the Blues. Villa roll into the game on a run of 10 wins in a row, but perhaps aren’t as menacing as that record would suggest, given they’ve scored some fantastic goals and nicked some wins in that time.

Soccer News / Chelsea News / December 27
Chelsea – Aston Villa coming down to one key duel which could have major effect next summer

Chelsea – Aston Villa coming down to one key duel which could have major effect next summer

Chelsea take on Aston Villa this afternoon, and while this is really a game of two teams towards the top of the table looking to convince everyone (or perhaps, anyone) that they’re really title contenders and not just aiming to stay in the top four mix, there’s a new narrative thread emerging.

Chelsea FC News / Chelsea News / December 27
Chelsea behind just Arsenal and Liverpool and currently beating Man City in pure dominance stat

Chelsea behind just Arsenal and Liverpool and currently beating Man City in pure dominance stat

With the season reaching the halfway point, it’s interesting to now have a look at the stats and the data and see what conclusions we can draw about how Chelsea are getting on.

Soccer News / Chelsea News / December 27
Enzo Maresca announces two new injury issues in unexpected statement

Enzo Maresca announces two new injury issues in unexpected statement

Because of the weird timings of the Christmas schedule, Enzo Maresca ended up doing his press conference previewing today’s Aston Villa game way back at the start of the week, and there’s since been a little update from the coach.

Soccer News / Chelsea News / December 27
Journalist: European side in negotiations over permanent transfer for £38.5m Chelsea ace

Journalist: European side in negotiations over permanent transfer for £38.5m Chelsea ace

Serie A outfit Roma are in talks over a permanent move for Chelsea outcast Axel Disasi according to reports in Italy. Disasi is part of the infamous “bomb” squad after he failed to secure a move away from Stamford Bridge in the  summer.

Soccer News / Chelsea News / December 27
Enzo Maresca reveals stance on player who’s made five appearances this season, January exit possible

Enzo Maresca reveals stance on player who’s made five appearances this season, January exit possible

Enzo Maresca has insisted he’s happy with Filip Jorgensen, but refused to rule out the goalkeeper leaving in January. Jorgensen joined Chelsea from Spanish side Villarreal in a deal worth £20.9m in the summer of 2024, but has struggled to make an impact at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea FC News / Caught Offside / December 27
Enzo Maresca tempted to leave Chelsea as rivals circle

Enzo Maresca tempted to leave Chelsea as rivals circle

Chelsea have had a lot of manager turnover in recent years, and they could be searching for a new one again in 2026. Enzo Maresca has impressed since taking the reins at Stamford Bridge, and he could now be tempted into joining another club.

Chelsea FC News / Chelsea News / December 27
The Athletic reveal how close Thiago Silva was to a Chelsea return

The Athletic reveal how close Thiago Silva was to a Chelsea return

Chelsea legend Thiago Silva was never under consideration for a return to the club despite reports according to The Athletic. Silva spent four years at Chelsea, and left the club at the end of the 2023/2024 season having helped the Blues win their second Champions League title.

Soccer News / Chelsea News / December 27
Report: Long list of suitors lining up for Chelsea ace, Blues faces tough January decision

Report: Long list of suitors lining up for Chelsea ace, Blues faces tough January decision

Tyrique George is attracting interest from a number of teams in the Premier League and Champions League clubs in Europe according to The Athletic. George saw a move to Fulham fall through on deadline day despite a fee of £22m being agreed between the clubs.

Chelsea FC News / Chelsea News / December 27
Chelsea warned selling 'very sought after talent' could come back to 'haunt' them

Chelsea warned selling 'very sought after talent' could come back to 'haunt' them

Josh Acheampong has been backed to stay at Chelsea and continue his development according to former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness. Acheampong is a graduate of Chelsea’s famed Cobham academy and was promoted to the first team squad by Enzo Maresca last season.

Soccer News / Chelsea News / December 27
Report: Chelsea closely following German international who could cost £100m , Man City interested

Report: Chelsea closely following German international who could cost £100m , Man City interested

Chelsea are among the Premier League clubs closely monitoring Bayern Munich midfielder Aleksandar Pavlovic according to reports. The Blues once again heavily invested in the summer, and revamped the frontline with five new attacking signings.

Soccer News / Chelsea News / December 27
'Not in the squad because' – Enzo Maresca reveals why Jamie Gittens missed Newcastle game

'Not in the squad because' – Enzo Maresca reveals why Jamie Gittens missed Newcastle game

Enzo Maresca has revealed why Jamie Gittens wasn’t part of the squad for last weekend’s draw against Newcastle. Gittens’ absence from the match day squad was noticeable, but until now no reason had been given as to why he missed the game.

Enzo Maresca News / Chelsea News / December 27
'He is out’ – Enzo Maresca provides fresh injury update, confirms Chelsea star will miss Aston Villa clash

'He is out’ – Enzo Maresca provides fresh injury update, confirms Chelsea star will miss Aston Villa clash

Enzo Maresca has confirmed Jorrel Hato will miss Saturday’s game against Aston Villa after picking up an injury in the warm up before the Newcastle game.

Soccer News / Chelsea News / December 26
Exclusive says Chelsea could bring forward transfer for 18 year old Ligue 1 talent as interest grows

Exclusive says Chelsea could bring forward transfer for 18 year old Ligue 1 talent as interest grows

The rumours about Chelsea interest in Marseille youngster Darryl Bakola continue to grow. Today it’s rumour site CaughtOffside‘s turn to talk about the 18 year old.

Chelsea FC News / Chelsea News / December 26
'Lifestyle' of €10m young player questioned as he struggles to adapt, Chelsea future in question

'Lifestyle' of €10m young player questioned as he struggles to adapt, Chelsea future in question

Poor old Kendry Paez. It was all looking so bright for him. Chelsea signed him for €10m years ago as a true wonderkid, playing as a 15 year old in Ecuador and starting for the national team not long after.

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Chelsea FC News / Chelsea News / December 26
'Loan will be explored' – But contract issue is preventing January move for youngster

'Loan will be explored' – But contract issue is preventing January move for youngster

With Christmas in the rear view mirror and January now almost here, we’ve been enjoying reading the Athletic’s explainer about Chelsea’s transfer window to come.

Chelsea FC News / Chelsea News / December 26
£15m youngster addition likely to be the genre of Chelsea’s biggest January action

£15m youngster addition likely to be the genre of Chelsea’s biggest January action

Chelsea fans are understandably excited when January comes around. Their team has been transfer mad in recent windows. But that’s not expected to continue.

Chelsea FC News / Chelsea News / December 26
'Chelsea want to keep' striker called out for poor training levels by his manager

'Chelsea want to keep' striker called out for poor training levels by his manager

There is a lot of good stuff in the Athletic’s explainer about Chelsea’s transfer situation for this January, and we honed in on some action about Marc Guiu in particular.

Soccer News / Chelsea News / December 26
January transfer 'biggest priorities' for Chelsea still stuck because of these factors

January transfer 'biggest priorities' for Chelsea still stuck because of these factors

With January now just days away, we can get really serious about Chelsea and what they might be up to in the transfer window. We’ve said all along we don’t expect them to do much in terms of buying players – but there will likely be a sale or two, and some loan movements too.

Soccer News / Chelsea News / December 26
'We don’t want anyone…' – Chelsea figure’s stark statement about tomorrow’s thriller

'We don’t want anyone…' – Chelsea figure’s stark statement about tomorrow’s thriller

Chelsea players have not taken a Christmas break like the rest of us. They’ve been training and recovering and preparing for tomorrow’s huge top of the table clash against Aston Villa.

Soccer News / Chelsea News / December 26
Report: Chelsea’s stance on forgotten £17.1m star revealed ahead of January window

Report: Chelsea’s stance on forgotten £17.1m star revealed ahead of January window

Chelsea are exploring domestic options for Deivid Washington ahead of the January transfer window according to The Athletic. The Blues signed Washington from Santos in the summer of 2023 in a deal worth £14m with a further £3.5m in add-ons.

Soccer News / Chelsea News / December 26
'We have hit a point…' – Chelsea starter explains why team’s defence has gone to next level

'We have hit a point…' – Chelsea starter explains why team’s defence has gone to next level

We can’t wait to see Chelsea back in action tomorrow – the Blues have battled back from a bad moment and have a huge chance to consolidate that when they face Aston Villa.

Soccer News / Chelsea News / December 26
The Athletic reveal Chelsea’s priority position for summer 2026 window

The Athletic reveal Chelsea’s priority position for summer 2026 window

Chelsea have made central midfield a priority for next summer due to the constant injury issues of Romeo Lavia according to The Athletic. The Blues added reinforcements in the summer with Andrey Santos returning from his loan spell at Strasbourg, whilst Dario Essugo arrived from Sporting Lisbon.

Leo Castledine News / Absolute Chelsea on SI / December 23
Chelsea prepared to sell in-form loanee in January for future profits

Chelsea prepared to sell in-form loanee in January for future profits

Chelsea are open to selling young midfielder Leo Castledine, who has generated interest from several Championship clubs amid his impressive loan season at Huddersfield, according to reports.

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