Enzo Maresca has been presented with a right-back conundrum in his preparations for Chelsea’s trip to Bournemouth.
The Blues face the Cherries on Saturday evening, live on talkSPORT, in search of a second Premier League win of the season.
Chelsea fans could be set for a first glimpse of Deadline Day signing Jadon Sancho, with Cole Palmer set to play a key role again.
However, Maresca will be without his two senior right-backs on the south coast as Reece James and Malo Gusto are out through injury.
“Malo is still out and he is not available for tomorrow’s game,” he said on the Frenchman, who suffered a thigh injury in the 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace last time out.
Speaking on club captain James, who has been dealing with another hamstring problem, Maresca stated: “Unfortunately, Reece needs more time.”
Given the absences at right-back, talkSPORT.com has looked at how Chelsea’s starting XI could look this weekend at Bournemouth.
Robert Sanchez has featured as the Blues’ goalkeeper in all three of their opening Premier League matches and is set to do so again.
Filip Jorgensen started in their Conference League qualifying matches against Servette, but could miss out after coming off for the Denmark U21s during the international break.
With James and Gusto unavailable, Maresca could turn to Axel Disasi to play at right-back against Bournemouth.
The Frenchman is a natural centre-back, but has played on the right of the defence for Chelsea before, doing so eight times last term.
Moises Caicedo is another potential option for the position having featured there for Brighton, but he is almost certain to play in midfield instead.
10
10
10
Wesley Fofana and Levi Colwill have been Maresca’s go-to pairing at centre-back in the Premier League so far this season.
They are likely to start again this weekend ahead of Benoit Badiashile and Tosin Adarabioyo, who both featured against Servette.
At left-back, Marc Cucurella is likely to be named in the starting XI for a fourth consecutive league match over Ben Chilwell.
Chilwell is back in Chelsea contention after being included in their 25-man Premier League squad list and is set to return to training after his exile from the first-team.
Romeo Lavia made his first start for the Blues in their 2-0 opening weekend defeat to Manchester City, but will miss the trip to Bournemouth.
Maresca said he is ‘very close’ to making a comeback in training after a hamstring injury, so Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez are likely to be given the nod in midfield.
Carney Chukwuemeka, Cesare Casadei, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Renato Veiga are other options, however it’s unlikely they will all feature in the matchday squad.
Noni Madueke will be hopeful of a return to the starting XI at right-wing after he assisted Harry Kane on his England debut on Tuesday.
The 22-year-old shone in Chelsea’s 6-2 win against Wolves prior to the international break as he scored an excellent second-half hat-trick.
In attacking midfield, Palmer looks to be the nailed-on choice for Maresca as he continues to be the Blues’ standout player.
He already has one goal and four assists to his name this season and, despite withdrawing from England duty, he has been in training this week and is set to feature at the Vitality Stadium.
10
10
10
For the left-wing position, Sancho could be handed his Chelsea debut after signing on loan from Manchester United in a deal that includes an obligation to buy for a total £25million.
Maresca spoke on his potential inclusion during his pre-match press conference, but remained coy when he said: “I decide the first XI.
“It depends on the training session. Jadon is one of our wingers. I’m seeing the exact way I expected of him.
“He is a very good player in the last third, one-v-one, quality in the last third, so he is exactly the player we were looking at. It’s a matter of finding the right moment for him and to give him a chance.”
10
10
Mykhailo Mudryk has made the most starts on the left of the attack this season, but Maresca could opt for Pedro Neto instead, with Sancho coming off the bench if needed.
Chelsea announced on Friday that Nicolas Jackson has signed a new two-year deal at the club until 2033 and he looks set to lead the line once again.
The Senegal international banged in 19 goals in all competitions last season and already has two to his name this campaign, as well as an assist across four appearances.
Joao Felix and Christopher Nkunku have so far scored one and two goals respectively and can play as the centre-forward if needed along with Marc Guiu, although he is unlikely to feature.
10
