Chelsea make – Interim head coach Calum McFarlane has reshaped Chelsea’s starting XI for the final Premier League fixture of the season at the Stadium of Light, with Levi Colwill, Wesley Fofana, Jorrel Hato, and Enzo Fernandez all central to the setup.
The Stadium of Light is set to host Chelsea’s final Premier League game of the season, and the lineup sheet in the tunnel already signals how seriously the Blues are approaching it.
Interim head coach Calum McFarlane has made three changes to the Chelsea side for the visit to Sunderland. The result they want is clear: victory for the Blues—coupled with Brighton & Hove Albion failing to beat Manchester United and Brentford not defeating Liverpool by a big margin—would guarantee a UEFA Europa League place.
McFarlane has opted to alter the starting XI that began Chelsea’s midweek victory over Tottenham Hotspur. A potential switch to a back three is part of the plan. Levi Colwill returns to the team in place of Josh Acheampong. and could be joined at the back by Wesley Fofana and Jorrel Hato. Marc Cucurella keeps his place, but Malo Gusto comes in, with Andrey Santos making way.
In midfield, Enzo Fernandez will captain the Blues from midfield alongside Moises Caicedo. Pedro Neto and Cole Palmer continue in the attack, supporting Joao Pedro, who replaces Liam Delap to come back into the team and lead the line.
Reece James is not in the starting XI, only included among the substitutes. Teenage winger Jesse Derry is named on the senior bench again.
Chelsea’s starting lineup is:
Sanchez; Fofana, Colwill, Hato; Gusto, Caicedo, Fernandez (c), Cucurella; Palmer, Neto; Joao Pedro.
Substitutes: Jorgensen, Acheampong, Chalobah, James, Essugo, Santos, Derry, Garnacho, Delap.
Chelsea Sunderland Premier League Calum McFarlane Stadium of Light UEFA Europa League Levi Colwill Enzo Fernandez Moises Caicedo Joao Pedro