Chelsea predicted lineup vs Gent - Conference League

Chelsea will have to dazzle in the absence of Cole Palmer when they take on Gent in the Conference League on Thursday.

Some are claiming Palmer to be the best footballer in the Premier League right now and his four-goal showing against Brighton & Hove Albion at the weekend only emboldened that argument. However, his exclusion from Enzo Maresca's league phase squad means he'll have his feet up when Gent come to town in midweek.

The depth of Chelsea's squad means the new manager has the luxury of making wholesale changes to Saturday's XI without diminishing the quality of the product on show for the Stamford Bridge faithful too much.

Here's the team Maresca could pick for Gent's visit on Thursday.

Chelsea predicted lineup vs Gent (4-2-3-1)

GK: Filip Jorgensen - Just when you thought Robert Sanchez was locking down the number one position, he goes and produces a performance like that. The door might be opening for Jorgensen.

RB: Axel Disasi - Disasi was a prominent member of Mauricio Pochettino's Chelsea, but he's not got much of a look in under the new manager.

CB: Tosin Adarabioyo - With Maresca opting against chopping and changing his centre-backs, Tosin will be limited to appearances in midweek.

CB: Benoit Badiashile - Badiashile is not going to be playing much Premier League football anytime soon given the form of Levi Colwill. The former Monaco defender will be aiming to impress in this competition.

LB: Renato Veiga - One of several summer arrivals likely to be included in Thursday's team, Veiga boasts a unique profile and might feature in midfield at times this season. Ben Chilwell is not in the league phase squad.

CM: Romeo Lavia - A hamstring injury has set Lavia back after he started and impressed on the opening weekend of the season against Man City. However, the midfielder is back in action now and likely to return to the XI against Gent.

CM: Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall - Maresca's main man at Leicester has been thrust to the periphery in west London and his lack of Premier League action begs the question as to why Chelsea actually signed him. For nights like these?

RW: Pedro Neto - Maresca is carefully managing the winger's minutes given the vulnerability of his hamstrings, with Neto struggling to complete games at the start of his Chelsea career. He scored in last week's 5-0 thrashing of Barrow.

AM: Joao Felix - Chelsea's luxury playmaker will be aiming to take inspiration from Palmer's performance at the weekend when he lines up against Belgian opposition on Thursday.

LW: Mykhailo Mudryk - This competition is a great opportunity for Mudryk to shine. However, it won't be long before Maresca loses patience if he continues to underwhelm.

ST: Christopher Nkunku - Palmer's relationship with Nicolas Jackson and the latter's bright start to the season means Nkunku will have to remain patient for a Premier League starting berth. All he can do is continue to perform when given the chance and the Frenchman netted a hat-trick on his previous start.

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