The Premier League is back with a big clash on day one as Enzo Maresca makes his first stand at Stamford Bridge against the might of Pep Guardiola. This is a Chelsea predicted lineup for their opening day fixture with Manchester City
Chelsea Predicted Lineup for Premier League Opener vs Manchester City
How Chelsea Have Lined Up Recently
New arrivals and international tournaments have caused any early plans to be thrown out the window with most of the first-choice regulars not even starting a match during pre-season. Robert Sanchez got the majority of the starts in goal and should start the term as the number one option.
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There were a lot of different defensive combinations used as Tosin Adarabioyo, Ben Chilwell, Benoit Badiashile, and Reece James all made appearances. The back foud used against Inter was Malo Gusto, Wesley Fofana, Levi Colwill, and Marc Cucurella, which is the most likely combo for the early campaign.
In midfield, Romeo Lavia started as the defensive midfielder more often than not which could indicate plans to use him as the main pivot player. Enzo Fernandez, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, and Christopher Nkunku have also been seen in midfield roles as starters. Moises Caicedo made a cameo as a substitute and can’t be ruled out.
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The attacking three has been chopped and changed in some ways. On the left, it isn’t clear whether Raheem Sterling or Mykhailo Mudryk are preferred, and that’s before considering Pedro Neto who’s just joined. Marc Guiu has started as the striker while Nicolas Jackson rehabilitated an injury.
The right-wing spot has looked like Noni Madueke’s to lose as he started there for most of pre-season. He was replaced by Cole Palmer in the final friendly indicating that the 2023/24 standout could still get the nod on the right.
Chelsea Recent Form and Tactics
Maresca’s base shape is a 4-3-3, despite some considering it a 4-2-3-1. It is certainly more fluid as sometimes one full-back inverts and makes a 3-2-4-1 shape while at other points, one midfielder drops deep to make a double pivot as the free CM moves into a CAM role. There was even the curveball of the Palmer/Gusto partnership with the former cutting inside as the latter overlapped to create width, something fans hadn’t seen yet under the Italian.
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Despite the tactical adjustments, results from pre-season were poor with only one win coming against Club America. Defensively this side looks frail, Inter cut them open with ease to score while Celtic and Manchester City put four past the goalkeeper.
Chelsea Injuries to Consider
In a rare sight, the injury front is pretty clear for the Blues. Only James is injured according to Maresca, but he was suspended for the first part of the season and would have missed out either way.
Chelsea Predicted Lineup vs Manchester City
With questions still looming over the best fit and the full fitness of some key players this is probably the most unpredictable lineup to predict in recent memory.
GK – Rob Sanchez
LB – Marc Cucurella
CB – Levi Colwill
CB – Wesley Fofana
RB – Malo Gusto
DM – Romeo Lavia
CM – Enzo Fernandez
CM – Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall
LW – Raheem Sterling
ST – Nicolas Jackson
RW – Cole Palmer
