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A composite image shows Cole Palmer in front of a Chelsea FC club crest
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ES Composite
Chelsea Football Newsletter

Enzo Maresca must hope a rested first-choice midfield can help inspire his ailing Chelsea side as they travel to Fulham this weekend in what is a huge game in the context of the Champions League race.

It has been a difficult week for the Italian, whose side were held to a 2-2 home draw by all-but relegated Ipswich on Sunday before losing 2-1 to Legia Warsaw in the Conference League on Thursday night.

The Blues still advanced thanks to a 4-2 aggregate victory, but were booed off by the home crowd at Stamford Bridge despite having reached a European semi-final.

Maresca named a surprisingly strong lineup for that game, given his side held a 3-0 advantage from the first leg in Poland seven days earlier.

However, Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez were both left out of the squad entirely and ought therefore to come back into the side refreshed.

Levi Colwill and Trevoh Chalobah were also spared any involvement, while Pedro Neto and Noni Madueke were used only off the bench.

That could mean Jadon Sancho dropping out of the side, despite another assist making it four goal involvements in three games.

Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson both started against the Polish side but were withdrawn early with a view to Sunday’s trip to Craven Cottage.

With Romeo Lavia back in training this week and available to play if needed, Wesley Fofana and Marc Guiu are the only long-term absentees along with youngster Omari Kellyman. Mykhailo Mudryk remains unavailable for selection.

Predicted Chelsea XI (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; Gusto, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Madueke, Palmer, Neto; Jackson

Injured: Fofana, Guiu, Kellyman

Unavailable: Mudryk

Time and date: 2pm BST on Sunday April 20, 2025

Venue: Craven Cottage, London