Chelsea have hit a purple patch of kind heading into the October worldwide break and shall be desirous to proceed their ascent beneath Enzo Maresca on Sunday afternoon.
The Blues have received 5 video games on the bounce in all competitions, significantly impressing within the ultimate third of the pitch. Cole Palmer was the hero final weekend with a first-half four-goal haul in victory over Brighton & Hove Albion, however the likes of Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku have confirmed dependable goalscorers this time period, too.
With Chelsea having made a formidable surge up the Premier League desk in latest weeks, Nottingham Forest will present their ultimate problem earlier than the worldwide interval. Stamford Bridge has been a fruitful area for the Blues of late however Sunday’s encounter with one of many division’s most stringent defences will pose a novel problem.
Right here is how Chelsea might line up towards Forest on dwelling soil.
GK: Robert Sanchez – An error-stricken efficiency towards his former facet Brighton was papered over by Palmer’s brilliance however the Spaniard has to enhance to remain forward of summer time signing Filip Jorgensen within the pecking order.
RB: Malo Gusto – Reece James’ harm has allowed Gusto to impress within the early weeks of the season, however he was given a tricky afternoon by Kaoru Mitoma’s velocity and endeavour final outing. Forest‘s difficult wingers could trigger him comparable points right here.
CB: Wesley Fofana – Regardless of Chelsea flexing their attacking muscle tissues in latest weeks, defensive permeability stays a problem for the Blues. Fofana has arguably been their strongest backline performer within the opening weeks of the season.
CB: Levi Colwill – Having earned one other call-up for the England squad for October – the place he could characteristic as a left-back slightly than a centre-half – confidence ought to be excessive for Cobham graduate Colwill.
LB: Marc Cucurella – One other former Brighton participant who was removed from his greatest within the Seagulls’ chaotic go to to Stamford Bridge, Cucurella ought to be recent for Sunday’s affair after being an unused substitute within the 4-2 win over Gent midweek.
DM: Moises Caicedo – Having shaken off the rust following a tough debut season in west London, Caicedo has come into his personal beneath Maresca. He is unlikely to be pressed with the identical depth towards Forest as he was towards former employers Brighton.
DM: Enzo Fernandez – Fernandez’s glorious distribution got here to the fore towards Brighton however the Argentine must work tougher to seek out gaps in a defiant Forest defence.
RW: Noni Madueke – After a hat-trick at Wolverhampton Wanderers earlier within the season, Madueke has been an ever-present on the appropriate wing since within the Premier League. Whereas he hasn’t unleased a efficiency as eye-catching as his Molineux exhibiting, he is been a key facilitator within the ultimate third.
AM: Cole Palmer – What’s there left to say about Palmer? A record-breaker in final weekend’s victory, Forest must make use of a particular plan to stifle the 2023/24 Younger Premier League Participant of the Season, who’s recent after a midweek relaxation.
LW: Jadon Sancho – It appears Manchester United was the issue for Sancho all alongside. Who would have figured, eh? He is made a rapid begin to life at Stamford Bridge and has registered three assists in his final three outings.
ST: Nicolas Jackson – Nkunku’s spectacular goalscoring file within the cup competitions ensures there may be wholesome competitors for Jackson, who has totally impressed initially of 2024/25. The Senegal worldwide has an nearly telepathic relationship with Palmer.
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