How Chelsea could line up against Wolves with Cole Palmer injury fears and Enzo Maresca facing midfield crisis
CHELSEA are set to be forced into a makeshift starting XI when they take on Wolves tonight, with star man Cole Palmer set to miss out through injury.
The Blues have been hit by a wave of injuries going into the crunch Premier League clash.
And Enzo Maresca is likely to be without Palmer, who was injured in the 2-2 draw with Bournemouth and missed training on Friday.
However, Maresca looks set to hand an immediate start to Trevoh Chalobah, who is in line for his first Chelsea appearance in 246 days.
The versatile defender was brought back from Crystal Palace this month after the Blues were hit by a raft of absences.
Wesley Fofana, Benoit Badiashile and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall are all sidelined with issues.
While Mykhailo Mudryk remains unavailable as he awaits the B-sample of his failed drugs test.
Now, Chelsea face an even bigger crisis with FOUR more stars now major doubts for tonight.
Talisman Palmer, centre-back Levi Colwill, midfielder Romeo Lavia and vice-captain Enzo Fernandez all look set to miss out this evening.
It means the Blues are set to be left seriously short on numbers, especially in midfield.
And that could force boss Maresca to put Chalobah further forward alongside Moises Caicedo against a potent Wolves attack.
Matheus Cunha alone has 10 goals and four assists in the league this season.
It means Maresca is unlikely to want both Joao Felix and Christopher Nkunku starting in the middle, as they did nine days ago in the FA Cup against minnows Morecambe.
And Chalobah’s presence would shore up midfield while allowing Caicedo to push on further forward.
Should Maresca plump for that option, it may also see Josh Acheampong hold down his spot in the XI alongside Tosin Adarabioyo.
Spanish duo Marc Cucurella and Robert Sanchez are both nailed-on to start.
While Reece James could yet muscle his way in at right-back ahead of Malo Gusto.
Further up the pitch, Noni Madueke and Jadon Sancho could play either side of Felix, in for Palmer as the Blues’ No10.
And Nicolas Jackson is sure to keep his spot at striker ahead of Nkunku, who has been strongly linked with a move away.