Enzo Maresca will have little time to ease into life at Stamford Bridge. On Sunday, Chelsea open their 2025/26 Premier League campaign with a London derby against Crystal Palace, and the Italian head coach is already faced with some big selection dilemmas.
The Blues arrive at this fixture off the back of a rather strange summer. Their involvement in the FIFA Club World Cup meant their pre-season was cut short, consisting of just two games over a three-day spell. For Maresca, it has left minimal preparation time with his squad – but excuses will not count when the Eagles arrive in SW6.
The question now is simple: who gets the nod for Chelsea’s first starting XI of the season?
Vincent’s Verdict
Football.london’s Bobby Vincent believes Maresca will go with a solid, if slightly cautious, line-up. Robert Sanchez is set to start in goal, with captain Reece James returning to the right side of defence. Tosin Adarabioyo and Trevoh Chalobah could form the central partnership, while Marc Cucurella is tipped to fill the void on the left.
Wesley Fofana remains a long-term concern due to injuries, and Maresca will be wary of overloading the Frenchman early in the campaign.
In midfield, the double pivot of Moisés Caicedo and Enzo Fernández looks almost untouchable at this point. While youngsters like Andrey Santos and Dario Essugo have been knocking on the door, both may need to settle for bench roles.
The attack, however, is where things get interesting. Vincent predicts Pedro Neto to start on the right after a strong showing at the Club World Cup, with Cole Palmer occupying the No.10 role. João Pedro, Chelsea’s big-money summer signing, could slot in from the left, while Liam Delap is expected to lead the line.
That leaves exciting Brazilian teenager Estevão Willian and Jamie Gittens to make their impact later in the game.
Bobby Vincent’s XI: Sanchez; James, Tosin, Chalobah, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernández; Neto, Palmer, João Pedro; Delap.
Coley’s Call
Meanwhile, Tom Coley leans towards a slightly more adventurous approach. He agrees on the backline and midfield, though he notes Santos could be an outside contender if Fernández isn’t fully match-sharp.
Where Coley differs is in the attack. For him, Estevão has simply shown too much in pre-season to be left out. The 17-year-old winger dazzled during Chelsea’s short summer schedule, and Coley wants him starting alongside Palmer and Gittens in a fluid front three.
That decision pushes Pedro into the No.9 role, where he has been ruthless so far in Chelsea colours, scoring five from his first seven shots. It’s a bold call – but one that could ignite Stamford Bridge on opening day.
Tom Coley’s XI: Sanchez; James, Tosin, Chalobah, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernández; Estevão, Palmer, Gittens; João Pedro.
The Maresca Puzzle
Both predicted line-ups highlight the depth and unpredictability of Chelsea’s squad under Maresca. Whether he opts for the security of experience or the fearlessness of youth, the Italian knows every point is precious in a season where expectations remain sky-high.
Palace will test Chelsea’s defensive organisation, but all eyes will be on how Maresca sets up his new-look attack. Will it be Neto’s established quality, or Estevão’s raw brilliance? João Pedro out wide, or through the middle?
Sunday will provide the first answers and possibly the first glimpse of how Maresca envisions Chelsea’s future.
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