Chelsea predicted lineup vs Wolves - Premier League

A busy week to kick-off 2024/25 concludes at Molineux on Sunday as Chelsea take on Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Enzo Maresca oversaw his first win as Blues boss on Thursday night as Servette succumbed to a 2-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge in the first leg of their Conference League play-off tie. The Italian used the extremities of his deep squad in midweek, but a return to the XI that lined up against Manchester City to begin the Premier League season should be expected.

While Maresca's squad is laughably large and the number of different configurations at the manager's disposal entering the millions, the former Leicester City manager will want some continuity at the start of his reign.

Here's how Chelsea could line up against Wolves on Sunday.

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

GK: Robert Sanchez - The Spaniard has started the season as Maresca's number one but Sanchez still has plenty of convincing to do to suggest he can start long-term for Chelsea.

RB: Malo Gusto - With Reece James suspended, Gusto currently has little competition for his starting right-back berth. The Frenchman impressed in his first season.

CB: Wesley Fofana - After spending almost a year on the sidelines, Fofana enjoyed a full pre-season with the new manager and has seemingly garnered his trust. He's still some way from rediscovering his best form.

CB: Levi Colwill - The Cobham graduate started alongside Fofana last weekend and Maresca is unlikely to disrupt that partnership so early on.

LB: Marc Cucurella - He may eat paella and enjoy the occasional Estrella but Cucurella could not stop Erling Haaland last weekend. The Spaniard will likely match-up against the wily Hwang Hee-chan on Sunday.

CM: Romeo Lavia - Lavia was Chelsea's star on the opening weekend, with his defensive nous and ability to resist pressure bound to offer some much-needed stability in the middle of the park.

CM: Enzo Fernandez - Maresca may have to choose between one of Chelsea's £100m+ assets to partner Lavia. Fernandez is no number 10, offering much more as a passer from a deeper role. After wearing the armband against City, it'd be strange for Maresca to drop him.

RW: Cole Palmer - There are some questions over Palmer's status for Sunday's game, although Maresca was quick to play down the playmaker's suspected hamstring issue after Thursday's win. The Chelsea manager is hopeful Palmer will be fine to start at Molineux.

AM: Christopher Nkunku - Nkunku struggled wide left against City, with the Frenchman's best work coming from a central position. He should start as Chelsea's 10 after getting on the scoresheet in midweek.

LW: Pedro Neto - The former Wolves man has been bright at the start of his Chelsea career and Maresca should give him the chance to start on familiar soil this weekend.

ST: Nicolas Jackson - Chelsea could yet make a big splash at this position before the window slams shut but Jackson, who didn't enjoy much of a pre-season, is the manager's top striker option for the time being.

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