Enzo Maresca will be keen to achieve what his predecessor Mauricio Pochettino failed to achieve last season and win the Carabao Cup.
The Blues were beaten in the final of the 2023/24 season by a youthful Liverpool side and Gary Neville described them as a “billion pound job” in what was a symptomatic game of Chelsea’s baffling campaign under the former manager of Tottenham Hotspur.
However, the mood in west London has improved since Maresca’s appointment as Chelsea begin to find their rhythm. Weekend win against Newcastle United it has set them up well for Wednesday’s Carabao Cup fourth-round tie against the same rivals at St James’ Park.
Such are the riches of Maresca’s squad, the Italian should be able to name a completely new starting XI that would be capable of challenging for Champions League qualification in the Premier League itself. Significant changes will be made from the weekend win against the Magpies.
Here’s how Chelsea might line up wednesday night.
GK: Filip Jorgensen – Robert Sánchez’s questionable displays have only strengthened Jorgenen’s hand, with the summer signing performing admirably away from the Premier League since arriving at Stamford Bridge.
RB: Axel Disasi – Despite not being one of Maresca’s favourites, Disasi has been a good rotation option for the Europa Conference League and Carabao Cup this season. He may feature at right-back to allow Malo Gusto and Reece James to rest.
CB: Tosin Adarabioyo – A shaky display against Liverpool replacing Wesley Fofana dented his reputation, but the former Fulham defender is an excellent back-up. He will hope Newcastle boss Eddie Howe gives Alexander Isak the night off.
CB: Renato Vega – The Portuguese defender will battle it out with Benoit Badiashile for a starting spot on Tyneside, but the versatile youngster has impressed when called upon this season. He even won his first match for Portugal after a positive start with Maresca.
LB: Marc Cucurella – Cucurella appears to have been moved into the first-choice XI following James’ return from the treatment room, but knowing the England international’s injury history, the Spaniard will just have to bide his time until another inevitable setbacks.
DM: Enzo Fernández – Like Cucurella, World Cup winner Fernandez has been relegated to the substitutes’ bench in recent weeks for Premier League battles. Romeo Lavia’s impressive displays mean the Argentine will have to work hard to usurp his midfield partner.
DM: Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall – Chelsea signed Dewsbury-Hall for games like these. An experienced midfielder who offers great balance in the engine room, the former Leicester City man has shone in recent European outings.
RW: Jadon Sancho – Pedro Neto’s good form threatens Sancho’s starting position, with the duo likely to return frequently throughout the season. Sancho has not been used in either of Chelsea’s last two games.
AM: Joao Felix – Felix dazzled last week 4-1 thrashing at Greek Panathinaikosscoring twice to bring his season tally to three. The Portuguese is a luxury option to have as a bench warmer and occasional starter.
LW: Mykhailo Mudryk – Mudryk produced one of his strongest Chelsea displays against Panathinaikos with a goal and two assists. Despite rarely featuring for the Blues, he has bagged five goals in all competitions this term.
ST: Christopher Nkunku – The star of Barrow’s third-round demolition – bagging a well-taken hat-trick – Nkunku keeps finding the back of the net when he starts. The only problem for the Frenchman is that Nicolas Jackson is doing exactly the same.
