The team news is out for Chelsea’s game against Panathinaikos in the UEFA Europa Conference League, and it’s a particularly interesting list with a lot that can be read into it.
Why do we care so much about who is picked for our B team? Well, because it tells us a lot about who is going to be picked in our A team this weekend when we play Newcastle. Manager Enzo Maresca may pick someone to start both games – but it’s unlikely, especially if they play more than an hour tonight.
Anyone in the starting lineup today can certainly feel worried about the security of their first team place.
Cucurella and Enzo at risk after weekend disruption
Until now, the A team and B team have been very distinct. Maresca has been lucky enough to be able to pick two almost entirely separate teams. But suspensions for Wesley Fofana and Marc Cucurella at the weekend, plus a tough international break for Enzo Fernandez which precipitated a rest for him, have thrown everything out of order.
Now we see Enzo and Cucurella in the team tonight – what does this say about the £160m pair’s chances of playing against Newcastle on Sunday? Romeo Lavia has been looking for a way back into the team, and he grabbed his chance with both hands against Liverpool. Does this now mean we’ve seen him push Enzo into the B team?
As for Cucurella, it felt like switching Malo Gusto to the left and playing the returning Reece James on the right was a temporary fix to deal with the Spaniard’s suspension. But this team hints we might see it repeated this weekend.
We will find out when the next set of team sheets come out…
