Enzo Maresca has brought back his Chelsea big guns for their huge game at Newcastle.
Maresca fielded a much-changed side for Thursday’s Conference League semi-final second-leg win over Djurgarden at Stamford Bridge, including handing a first senior start to 16-year-old Reggie Walsh in midfield.
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But the Chelsea boss has made 10 changes at St James’ Park on Sunday for the first of what he has called “three finals” to ensure the Blues finish in the top five and qualify for the Champions League.
Robert Sanchez replaces Filip Jorgensen in goal, while key attacking duo Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson start.
Maresca picks an identical XI to that which stunned champions Liverpool last weekend, including a start for Romeo Lavia in midfield and Moises Caicedo as an auxiliary right-back.
Christopher Nkunku, Wesley Fofana and Omari Kellyman are all injured, while Mykhailo Mudryk remains unavailable.
Marc Guiu was not risked against Djurgarden and does not make his return to the matchday squad.
Reece James, Jadon Sancho and Tyrique George are on the Chelsea bench.
Confirmed Chelsea XI: Sanchez, Caicedo, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella, Lavia, Fernandez, Neto, Palmer, Madueke, Jackson
Subs: Jorgensen, Gusto, James, Acheampong, Badiashile, Tosin, Dewsbury-Hall, George, Sancho
Injured: Nkunku, Fofana, Kellyman, Guiu
Unavailable: Mudryk
Time and date: 12pm BST on Sunday May 11, 2025
Venue: St James’ Park, Newcastle
How to watch: TNT Sports
