Chelsea team news: Predicted XI vs Man City as Nkunku, Jackson and Sterling calls made

Enzo Maresca kicks off his managerial reign in just about the hardest possible circumstances on Sunday afternoon, when his Chelsea side will host reigning Premier League champions Manchester City at Stamford Bridge.

Maresca is highly rated following his successful promotion campaign with Leicester City but this weekend will see the Italian take charge of his first top-flight match. And with the Blues splashing out on a host of new recruits this summer, Maresca is saddled with some tricky selection calls.

Here, Express Sport takes you through how his side are likely to line up against City…

Chelsea’s predicted XI (4-2-3-1)

Goalkeeper: Sanchez

Djordje Petrovic finished last season as first choice, and Filip Jorgensen has been signed from Villarreal this summer, but the early indications are that Robert Sanchez will begin the campaign as Maresca’s No 1. The Spaniard started five out of Chelsea’s six pre-season games, with Jorgensen starting the other.

Defence: Gusto, Adarabioyo, Colwill, Cucurella

Malo Gusto is set for another run in the starting XI due to the absence of injured and suspended captain Reece James, while Marc Cucurella is the top candidate to line up on the left after a stellar Euro 2024 with Spain.

Levi Colwill just edges out Benoit Badiashile as the left-sided centre-back, with several players in contention to partner him. Axel Disasi is still recovering from hernia surgery and it would be a big ask to throw Wesley Fofana in at the deep end after so long out injured, so Tosin Adarabioyo could make his debut after signing from Fulham.

Gusto is expected to step into midfield when Chelsea are in possession, changing the shape from a 4-2-3-1 to a 3-2-4-1.

Defensive midfield: Fernandez, Caicedo

Chelsea have a wealth of talent in this department but the same £222million duo that anchored the midfield for much of Mauricio Pochettino’s reign is likely to start against City on Sunday. Enzo Fernandez has made amends with his team-mates after a rocky summer, while Moises Caicedo should get the nod ahead of Romeo Lavia, who looked off the pace in last weekend’s friendly draw with Inter Milan.

Attacking midfield: Madueke, Palmer, Sterling

Maresca is spoilt for choice in attacking areas, to the point that several big names will be forced to miss out. Noni Madueke deserves to be rewarded for a superb pre-season by playing in his favoured spot on the right flank ahead of new signing Pedro Neto, who may be eased into life at Stamford Bridge.

Cole Palmer – fresh from signing a new deal – will be most influential in the No 10 role. And despite speculation over his future, Raheem Sterling is Chelsea’s best option on the left ahead of Mykhaylo Mudryk, and he should start against his former club.

Striker: Nkunku

With Armando Broja and Romelu Lukaku both set to leave the club before the summer deadline, Maresca is down to Nicolas Jackson, Marc Guiu and Christopher Nkunku as his primary options through the middle.

Jackson was Chelsea’s highest Premier League scorer aside from Palmer last term, and 18-year-old Guiu looked to be a live wire during pre-season. But Christopher Nkunku is more dangerous than both of them, and the Frenchman deserves to be given a shot after spending much of his debut campaign out injured.