Chelsea have another chance to prove their Premier League title credentials in a huge London derby against Tottenham this weekend.
While much of the talk has centered on Manchester City’s fall from grace, Chelsea have quietly gone about their business in thrilling fashion and are currently in second place, level on points with Arsenal and seven behind league leaders Liverpool.
Enzo Maresca has routinely changed his entirely starting XI for midweek European games this season and made seven changes against Southampton midweek.
It paid off brilliantly as the Blues cruised to a 5-1 win Christopher Nkunku among the goal scorers.
Nicolas Jackson was given the night off but will be expected to return to the starting XI at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium where he scored a hat-trick last season.
Noni Madueke has been part of Maresca’s relatively settled attacking unit this season but the Chelsea coach took aim at the winger on Wednesday night.
Despite scoring and starting against Saints, Maresca accused the winger of taking his foot off the gas as soon as he ‘scores or assists’, dropped from the side last weekend as a result.
Elsewhere, Levi Colwill was also rested midweek and will likely return this weekend but Cheslea are still to provide a precise timeline on Wesley Fofana’s return after he was forced off against Villa.
Maresca’s comments have suggested he may not play again this year but both Benoit Badiashile and Tosin Aarabioyo have proven to be capable deputies, with Axel Disasi also playing the full 90 minutes for the first time in the league this season midweek.
Reece James meanwhile also remains sidelined after picking up a fresh hamstring injury.
Sanchez, Gusto, Badiashile, Colwill, Cucurella, Fernandez, Caicedo, Neto, Palmer, Sancho, Jackson
Tottenham vs Chelsea kicks off at 4:30pm on Sunday 8 December.
The match will be available to watch live on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event. Subscribers can also live stream the match on Sky Go and NOW TV.
MORE: Manchester United announce death of club icon Kath Phipps aged 85
MORE: Declan Rice reveals why Bukayo Saka would be ‘fuming’ after Arsenal beat Man Utd
MORE: Mikel Arteta disagrees with Ian Wright ‘worry’ over Arsenal star after beating Manchester United
