Chelsea v Man City: Predicted Blues XI for Maresca’s first game

Manchester City begin the defence of their Premier League title when they face Chelsea on Sunday. 

Pep Guardiola’s side can become the first team in history to win five consecutive English top flight titles if they are victorious this season, while Chelsea are now under the guidance of Guardiola’s former assistant, Enzo Maresca.

The Blues have endured a difficult pre-season, and Maresca’s side were beaten 4-2 by City in a friendly earlier this month.

Here, we predict the XI that the Italian could select for the visit of the Citizens.

Goalkeeper

Robert Sanchez appears to have regained his spot as Chelsea’s first choice ‘keeper, having started five of their six pre-season games. Djordje Petrovic finished last season as Mauricio Pochettino’s number one, but he appears to have fallen out of favour and Sanchez looks set to start against City.

Defenders

Reece James is the only member of Maresca’s squad that is unavailable due to injury, meaning Malo Gusto will likely start at right-back. The frenchman was one of the Blues’ best players last season, playing regularly in the absence of the often injured James.

In the centre of defence, Maresca has plenty of options following the arrival of Tosin Adarabioyo on a free transfer at the start of the window. The former Fulham man looks set to make his Chelsea debut on Sunday, most likely partnered by Levi Colwill, who is set to get the nod ahead of Benoit Badiashile as the left-sided central defender.

Gusto is in line to start against Man City on Sunday

Axel Disasi is recovering from injury, while Wesley Fofana missed several months last season and will likely therefore be eased back in. Trevoh Chalobah’s future at Stamford Bridge remains extremely uncertain.

At left-back, Marc Cucurella looks likely to start just weeks after winning the Euros with Spain. The former Brighton and Hove Albion man struggled last season, but he appears to be Maresca’s preferred left-back, with the Italian admitting this week that Ben Chilwell will likely leave the club before the end of the transfer window.

Midfielders

Chelsea have been boosted by the returns of a number of players over the summer, including Romeo Lavia who made just one appearance last season after joining from Southampton. The Belgian may have to settle for a place on the bench, though, with Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo likely to start together at the base of midfield.

Palmer will aim to recreate the stunning form he displayed last term

The pair, who cost a combined £222 million last year, started together for much of last season and Maresca will hope to get the best out of them this term.

In the advanced midfield role, Cole Palmer will likely be deployed as a number 10. The Englishman enjoyed one of the most remarkable debut seasons in Premier League history last term, after making the move from City to Chelsea. Chelsea supporters will be pinning most of their hopes for the upcoming campaign on the England international, who also impressed at the Euros for the Three Lions.

Forwards

Noni Madueke has been one of Chelsea’s best performers during pre-season, and the Englishman will therefore likely start in his preferred position on the right flank.

Through the middle, Christopher Nkunku is set to start having been in fine form this summer. The Frenchman arrived in London last summer with huge expectations, but suffered with injuries throughout last term.

Madueke has impressed for Chelsea during pre-season

On the left, Raheem Sterling could be given the nod ahead of Mykhaylo Mudryk. Sterling has failed to live up to the reputation he formed at City since moving to Chelsea two years ago, but on his day he is still one of the best attacking players in the Premier League.

New signing Pedro Neto, who arrived from Wolves last week, will likely be named among the substitutes but could expect to make his debut at some stage.

Predicted XI: Sanchez; Gusto, Adarabioyo, Colwill, Cucurella; Fernandez, Palmer, Caicedo; Madueke, Nkunku, Sterling.