Chelsea predicted line-up vs West Ham: two key changes made as £77m duo start
The latest Chelsea team news, injury update and starting XI ahead of West Ham encounter
Chelsea have seven points from four league games in the Premier League so far this season, an improvement from the last campaign when they had only four at this stage. Progress has been made, but their biggest test so far comes this weekend when they travel to the London Stadium to face West Ham United.
Last season, Chelsea lost this fixture, so it will be interesting to see if they can at least secure a draw or even push for a win, as Enzo Maresca quietly and effectively goes about his business.
West Ham, on the other hand, have not started the season strongly and needed a late goal against Fulham to rescue a point. There is definitely room for improvement and gaps to fill if they are going to cause Chelsea serious problems.
In the league table, Chelsea are eighth, while West Ham sit 14th. One thing is certain: both teams will be going all out to try and secure the points.
Chelsea Team News:
Chelsea’s narrow 1-0 win against Bournemouth last time out was impressive for several reasons, one of them being the absence of some key players, including Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Enzo Fernandez, Malo Gusto, and Romeo Lavia.
Fernandez - who was recently handed the captain’s armband - and Dewsbury-Hall were both ill, while Malo Gusto suffered an ankle injury that forced him off against Crystal Palace. As a result, he not only missed the game against Bournemouth but also the international break.
Romeo Lavia has been sidelined with a muscle injury, although the club has confirmed that it is not in the same area where he suffered an injury last season. He’s back in training and is pushing for a return to the starting team.
Reece James is still not ready to return to the side. The Chelsea captain has not featured so far this season due to a hamstring injury and a suspension carried over from last season.
Given the impact Jadon Sancho had when he came off the bench, and Christopher Nkunku's match-winning goal, both players -Sancho, whose loan move will turn permanent next summer in a £25million deal, and Nkunku, who joined for £52million in June 2023 - have certainly done enough to push for a place in the starting lineup. Nicolas Jackson has continued to frustrate when leading the line for the Blues, which could well see them continue their search for a new number nine in January.
Predicted Team:
Sanchez, Gusto, Fofana, Colwill, Cucurella, Fernandez, Caicedo, Madueke, Palmer, Sancho, Nkunku.