Chelsea predicted line-up vs Nottingham Forest: two key changes made as £40m gem earns start
The latest Chelsea team news, injury update and predicted XI ahead of their clash with Nottingham Forest
For those Chelsea and Nottingham Forest fans not lucky enough to have the May Bank Holiday off work next week, there will be a most uncommon dilemma to contend with: how on earth to watch their sides play at 3pm on a Monday afternoon. The Premier League fixture list has thrown up a real curveball, with a slot usually reserved for EFL games.
The Blues head into the game rejuvenated, after claiming a hard-earned 1-0 FA Cup semi-final win over Leeds United last weekend. There thoughts will now be turned back to the Premier League, where they take on a Forest side flying high in Europe but still facing the relegation battle - in theory, they could play Champions League football in the Championship next season.
Chelsea’s hopes of qualifying for the Champions League are all but over - a failure that could see them lose some star players this summer - and they’ll need to dramatically improve their Premier League form if they’re to qualify for the Europa League instead. As things stand, they’re eighth in the table, having lost their last five league matches in a row.
Ahead of Monday afternoon’s intriguing and indeed disconcerting mid-afternoon kick-off at Stamford Bridge, we’ve rounded up the latest team news, injury update and given our predicted line-up for the Blues’ clash against Forest.
Chelsea team news and injury update
After a season scuppered largely by abject defending, Levi Colwill arriving back at Stamford Bridge like Gandalf at Helm’s Deep will be a welcome sight indeed for Blues fans. The England international is finally close to making his return after suffering an ACL injury in pre-season, but he’s unlikely to be rushed back into the squad to face Forest.
Hamstring injuries are the real concern for the Blues, with wonderkid Estevao out for the rest of the season due to a complaint of this nature. Skipper Reece James is still on the sidelines after injuring his back in March. Unlike Colwill, he’s not been seen back in training yet. Summer signing Jamie Gittens is also out with the same injury.
Goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen is touch and go as he continues his recovery from a groin injury, but may well not get the chance to usurp number on Robert Sanchez before the end of the season - especially after his commanding display against Leeds last weekend.
Chelsea welcomed back both Joao Pedro and Cole Palmer to the squad to face Leeds at Wembley, with the former putting the kind of top class attacking performance the Blues have been crying out for in recent weeks. Both players will be in contention to feature against Forest.
Chelsea predicted XI vs Nottingham Forest
Sanchez will take the gloves for Chelsea again, as he prepares to make his 33rd Premier League appearance of the season. The Blues may well look to sign a new goalkeeper this summer, with the ex-Brighton stopper’s exceptional saving ability continually let down by his erratic displays with the ball at his feet.
With James still out, Malo Gusto will continue at right-back. Over on the left flank, Marc Cucurella will keep his starting spot. The Blues are expected to strengthen in the left-back position this summer, with former Cobham graduate Lewis Hall among those said to be on their transfer radar. Trevoh Chalobah will start at centre-back, and Tosin Adarabioyo could well keep his place over Wesley Fofana after Chelsea kept a clean sheet against Leeds.
In midfield, Moises Caicedo is pretty much the first name on the team sheet. He could be partnered with Romeo Lavia again but, given his extensive injury history, interim manager Calum McFarlane may look to manage his minutes and give Andrey Santos a start instead. £40m superstar Cole Palmer could return to the starting XI, but on the right rather than in his preferred central role.
Stand-in captain Enzo Fernandez continued his case for being Chelsea’s first-choice attacking midfielder against Leeds, scoring the winning goal with a powerful header. Alejandro Garnacho, who has had a far from impressive first season at Stamford Bridge, could make way for Pedro Neto, and Joao Pedro will look to add to his 14 Premier League goals so far this season as he leads the line.
Chelsea predicted line-up vs Nottingham Forest: Sanchez; Gusto, Chalobah, Tosin, Cucurella; Caicedo, Santos; Palmer, Fernandez, Neto; Pedro.