Chelsea arrive at Stamford Bridge on a three-game losing streak. Slumping to seventh, they’re still just a point off fourth—enough to keep hope alive for a Champions League push.
Injuries force hard calls. Trevoh Chalobah is sidelined with a back issue after eight minutes at Villa Park. He’ll miss at least a week, adding to a roll call that includes Jackson, Guiu, Madueke, Lavia and Fofana as per Sports Mole reports.
Maresca makes two changes. Tosin Adarabioyo replaces Chalobah at centre-back, partnering Levi Colwill. Sancho comes in on the left flank, stepping in for Reece James in midfield.
Filip Jorgensen starts in goal after Robert Sanchez’s recent shaky form. Malo Gusto returns at right-back, with Cucurella holding the left.
In midfield, Moisés Caicedo anchors beside Enzo Fernández. After a costly advanced role last week, Fernández drops back into the double pivot.
Upfront, Chelsea adopt a four-man attacking unit: Cole Palmer on the right, Sancho on the left, Christopher Nkunku central, and Pedro Neto leading the line in place of injured Jackson and Guiu. Neto impressed last time out.
Sancho brings pace, width and urgency—a needed spark. Adarabioyo adds physicality and experience into an unstable defence. Together, the changes reflect Maresca’s push for momentum.
The fixture offers a narrative. Chelsea versus bottom-table Southampton. A clash between directionless form and desperate ambition.
All eyes on whether the reshuffle delivers.
A narrow point gap to top-four means everything. Chelsea must deliver—not tomorrow, tonight.