Enzo Maresca to consider two big Chelsea changes for West Ham United with Jadon Sancho decision
Enzo Maresca is an incredibly relaxed man. football.london has been fortunate enough to attend multiple press conferences with the Chelsea head coach since he was appointed and not once has he seemed anything but calm and composed with his answers.
So when it comes to picking his team for the upcoming game, you can imagine his thought process is clear and crucially, not rushed whatsoever. At the weekend, there were a few players that came off the bench and made a real claim to be included in the line-up for Saturday afternoon's game against West Ham United at the London Stadium.
Not least Christopher Nkunku. The 26-year-old forward produced the match-defining moment on 86 minutes with a clever swivel inside the box and a deadly finish into the bottom right corner.
It was a moment of magic - and one so typical of Nkunku; one chance, one goal. But has it earned him a spot in this weekend's line-up? It would seem unlikely at this moment given the options Chelsea boast in attack.
There is a chance for Nkunku to come in and replace Nicolas Jackson as the sole No.9 in the side but equally, that seems unlikely given Maresca's trust in the Senegalese forward thus far in his tenure. Jackson has started all four Premier League matches this term - and with two goals in the process, it is hardly a bad return from the 23-year-old striker.
However, one man that has surely left Maresca with no choice but to start him is Jadon Sancho. The 24-year-old made his Chelsea debut at the weekend when he was introduced at the half-time break.
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Sancho made an immediate impact - causing continuous problems for the Bournemouth defenders. He eventually got his reward when he assisted Nkunku with a clever pass into the Frenchman's feet, who then did the rest emphatically.
Pedro Neto has not quite got going at Chelsea yet but there is not too much to be concerned about there. The Portugal international could actually benefit from a spell out of the side. Neto's speed and directness makes him a sublime option from the bench in any sort of situation.
Meanwhile, Renato Veiga could drop out of the side. Something that seems really harsh given he was superb in the win against the Cherries. But with Enzo Fernandez returning to fitness, it almost seems a given that Maresca will bring the Argentine back into the team for the match at West Ham.
Tosin Adarabioyo also made a positive impact off the bench on Saturday evening. The defender, yet to start in the Premier League since signing for the Blues, will be hoping he has done enough to impress Maresca but it is likely the Italian will continue with the centre-back pairing of Wesley Fofana and Levi Colwill.
Possible Chelsea line-up: Sanchez; Disasi, Fofana, Colwill, Cucurella; Fernandez, Caicedo; Madueke, Palmer, Sancho; Jackson.