Enzo Maresca is ready to turn to Renato Veiga in an attempt to contain Liverpool star Mohamed Salah at Anfield on Sunday according to reports.
The Blues take on the early league leaders at Anfield in one of the biggest games of the season so far, with both sides in good form.
Arne Slot and Maresca have both got off to good starts in their new jobs and both will be looking to record a statement win to really build on their positive starts.
Maresca ready to deploy Veiga to try and contain Salah
The Blues currently sit fourth with 14 points from a possible 21 and haven’t lost in the league since the opening day of the season against Manchester City.
Chelsea have played some good football and have scored 16 goals in the league, the second most and just one behind City.
Maresca’s side should be heading to Anfield with confidence, but it’s a tough place to go, with their last win at the ground coming in 2021 and they are winless in their last nine meetings against the Reds.
Chelsea will be without two of their first choice back four with Marc Cucurella and Wesley Fofana both suspended after picking up their fifth bookings of the season last time out against Nottingham Forest.
Cucurella revealed in a recent interview he believes he’s being unfairly targeted by officials this season after his success with Spain at Euro 2024.
Tosin Adarabioyo is likely to replace Fofana, whilst The Mirror have reported that Maresca is ready to deploy Veiga at left back and task him with containing Salah.
Veiga was a surprise summer signing from Swiss side FC Basel, but has impressed for the Blues this season and even earned praise from Roberto Martinez after he made his Portugal debut against Poland on Saturday.
The 21-year-old has adapted to life very well at Stamford Bridge, but if he starts on Sunday it will be the toughest test of his Chelsea career to date.
However, given how Veiga has taken everything in his stride since joining the Blues you wouldn’t bet against the Portugal international stepping up to the task at Anfield.
