Chelsea v Barrow: Predicted Blues XI for Carabao Cup clash

Chelsea begin their quest for domestic cup success when they host League Two Barrow in the Carabao Cup third round on Tuesday evening. 

Enzo Maresca has enjoyed a largely successful start to his tenure at Stamford Bridge, with his side cruising to a 3-0 win over London rivals West Ham United last time out.

The result meant Maresca became the first manager since Pep Guardiola to win his first three away matches in the Premier League, and the three points move Chelsea up to fifth in the top flight standings.

Maresca is likely to make wholesale changes to his side for the visit of the League Two leaders, and here we predict the XI that he could select for the game.

Goalkeeper

Robert Sanchez has re-established himself as the Blues’ first choice ‘keeper after falling out of favour towards the end of last season, but the Spaniard will make way for Filip Jorgensen in the Carabao Cup’s early rounds. The Dane kept a clean sheet on his debut against Servette in the UEFA Conference League, and he is now set to get his first taste of domestic English football.

Defenders

Maresca has had to be pragmatic with his backline in the early weeks of the season due to injuries to both Reece James and Malo Gusto. Axel Disasi has played at right-back on more than one occasion this term, and the Frenchman is likely to do so once again on Wednesday.

Josh Acheampong is confirmed to be in the matchday squad and will hope to make his senior debut off the bench.

In the centre of defence, Benoit Badiashile could partner Tosin Adarabioyo, who made his first Premier League start for Chelsea against West Ham. The pair have acted as understudies to Wesley Fofana and Levi Colwill in the Premier League, but are likely to be given opportunities to impress against Barrow.

Chilwell could make his first appearance of the season on Tuesday

At left-back, Maresca could hand Ben Chilwell a first appearance of the season. The England international was told over the summe that he wasn’t part of Maresca’s plans, but has since been reintegrated into first team training after failing to find a move away from the club. Maresca revealed on Monday that Chilwell is likely to be in the squad for Wednesday’s match, and he could offer crucial experience to a side that will likely feature several youngsters.

Midfielders

In midfield, Renato Veiga could be deployed centrally rather than in his usual role at left-back. The Portuguese was a summer signing from Porto, and has already made five appearances for the Blues.

He could be partnered by Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, whose only two starts since joining from Leicester City over the summer came in the two legs of Chelsea’s Conference League play-off against Servette.

Carney Chukwuemeka – who like Chilwell had been told he isn’t part of Maresca’s plans – will also be involved in the squad in Wednesday and could hope to make his first appearance of the season from the bench.

Joao Felix, who made a sensational return to Chelsea towards the end of the summer transfer window, could start in the advanced midfield role that is usually occupied by Cole Palmer.

Felix could start at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday

The Portugal international scored against Wolves on his second debut for the Blues, but hasn’t scored or assisted since and he will hope to change that on Wednesday evening.

Forwards

Maresca has plenty of options in attack but he is likely to rotate his squad for the visit of League Two Barrow. Pedro Neto is likely to be deployed on the right flank ahead of Noni Madueke. The Portugal international joined Chelsea from Wolves over the summer but hasn’t yet scored for the Blues.

Through the middle, Christopher Nkunku is set to start and will hope to add to his tally of three goals this season – two of which were penalties against Servette in the Conference League. The Frenchman netted a dramatic late equaliser against Bournemouth last week but the impressive form of Nicolas Jackson has so far kept him out of the starting line-up in the league.

Mudryk is likely to be given a rare start against Barrow

On the left, Mykhaylo Mudryk is likely to be handed a rare start ahead of Jadon Sancho, who has assisted in each of his appearances for Chelsea since joining on loan from Manchester United. Mudryk has struggled since arriving in London 18 months ago, but the visit of Barrow could provide him with the perfect opportunity to kickstart his season.

Predicted XI: Jorgensen; Disasi, Tosin, Badiashile, Chilwell; Veiga, Felix, Dewsbury-Hall; Neto, Nkunku, Mudryk.