This is a Chelsea predicted lineup for their Premier League clash with Tottenham Hotspur on April 2. Despite the disparity between the two clubs on the table this is an interesting clash of ideologies with the Blues’ young possession core facing pressure in the race for the Champions League while Ange Postecoglu’s high-press is almost free from expectations in the lower ebbs of the table.
Robert Sanchez and Filip Jorgensen tend to split goalkeeper duties with Marc Cucurella, Benoit Badiashile, Levi Colwill, Wesley Fofana, Tosin Adarabioyo, Malo Gusto and Reece James all being used as defenders. James has also played in midfield where Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall tend to operate.
Attacking options were limited due to injuries so Tyqrique George, Jadon Sancho, Christopher Nkunku, Cole Palmer, and Pedro Neto were the main faces seen up front. Enzo did play as an attacking midfielder of sorts against Arsenal due to Palmer’s injury but normally doesn’t start there.
Enzo Maresca remains married to the 4-2-3-1 base setup which shifts into either a 3-2-4-1 or something like a 3-3-4 to keep hold of the ball, they generally move it pretty slowly with directness lacking in the absence of Nicolas Jackson or Noni Madueke.
The Blues limped into the international break with a 1-0 defeat to Arsenal zapping the momentum of a previous four-game unbeaten run. The performances have allowed doubt to creep into fans’ minds with narrow 1-0 wins being followed by a toothless 1-0 defeat that put their attacking woes on full display.
A slightly out-of-date list on PremierInjuries (as of this writing) has a few names sidelined. Palmer, Madueke, and Jackson were all expected to be back after the international break meaning Marc Guiu and Mykhailo Mudryk are the only absentees from the senior squad. The manager himself cast some doubt on Romeo Lavia and wasn’t sure if he would be fit after a slight problem in training.
GK – Robert Sanchez
LB – Marc Cucurella
CB – Levi Colwill
CB – Wes Fofana
RB – Reece James
DM – Moises Caicedo
DM – Enzo Fernandez
W – Noni Madueke
W – Pedro Neto
AM – Cole Palmer
ST – Nicolas Jackson
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