Wolves v Chelsea: Predicted Blues XI for trip to Molineux

Enzo Maresca will take charge of his first Chelsea away game on Sunday when his side travel to Molineux to face Wolves. 

The Italian saw his side beaten 2-0 by champions Manchester City on the opening weekend of the Premier League season, before overseeing a 2-0 victory over Swiss side Servette in the first leg of their UEFA Conference League play-off tie on Thursday evening.

Maresca is managing a huge squad of more than 40 senior players at present and therefore has several big decisions to make ahead of the game.

Here, we predict the XI that the former Leicester City boss could select.

Goalkeeper
Robert Sanchez joined Chelsea last summer but lost his position as the Blues’ first choice ‘keeper towards the end of last term. He started against City last weekend, though, and appears to have regained his starting spot. After sitting out the win in midweek, he is set to return on Sunday.

Defenders
Club captain Reece James is still suspended after being sent off towards the end of last term, and Frenchman Malo Gusto is therefore set to continue at right-back. He started against the Citizens and came on as a substitute against Servette.

Gusto is set to start at right-back with Reece James still suspended

At centre-back, Wesley Fofana is likely to return to the starting line-up. He was another player that sat out the game in midweek, but he will return for this one and most likely be partnered by Levi Colwill. Maresca will hope that the pair can form a strong partnership this season.

At left-back, Marc Cucurella is set to return to replace Renato Veiga, who impressed on Thursday. Cucurella returned to pre-season late after winning the Euros with Spain, but he should be fresh after being an unused substitute against Servette.

Midfielders
Enzo Fernandez captained the Blues against City last Sunday and also took the armband towards the end of the game on Thursday. He will therefore likely start once again in midfield, and most likely be partnered by Romeo Lavia. The Belgian played just once last season but was arguably Chelsea’s best player against City, and he could be given the nod ahead of Moises Caicedo, who has played the majority of both of the Blues’ matches so far this season.

Fernandez captained Chelsea against Man City last weekend

In the advanced midfielder role, Christopher Nkunku could play as a number 10. The France international scored his first goal of the season last time out and, after an injury plagued debut season in England, the forward will be desperate to impress this term.

Forwards
Cole Palmer enjoyed a sensational individual campaign last term and was named PFA Young Player of the Year earlier this week, and the England international is set to start on the right against Wolves.

Through the middle, Nicolas Jackson is likely to start ahead of Marc Guiu. Jackson wasn’t involved on Thursday but did have a goal disallowed against City last weekend. The Senegalese striker will hope to build this season on what was a relatively impressive debut campaign for Chelsea last year.

Jackson is set to start against Wolves on Sunday

On the left, Pedro Neto is likely to be given a first Premier League start, after making his Chelsea debut as a substitute against City. The Portuguese impressed when given his first start on Thursday evening, and he will look to impress against his former side.

Predicted XI: Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Colwill, Cucurella; Fernandez, Nkunku, Lavia; Palmer, Jackson, Neto.