Chelsea have hit a purple patch of form heading into the October international break and will be eager to continue their ascent under Enzo Maresca on Sunday afternoon.
The Blues have won five games on the bounce in all competitions, particularly impressing in the final third of the pitch. Cole Palmer was the hero last weekend with a first-half four-goal haul in victory over Brighton & Hove Albion, but the likes of Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku have proven reliable goalscorers this term, too.
With Chelsea having made an impressive surge up the Premier League table in recent weeks, Nottingham Forest will provide their final challenge before the international period. Stamford Bridge has been a fruitful arena for the Blues of late but Sunday’s encounter with one of the division’s most stringent defences will pose a unique challenge.
Here is how Chelsea could line up against Forest on home soil.
GK: Robert Sanchez – An error-stricken performance against his former side Brighton was papered over by Palmer’s brilliance but the Spaniard has to improve to stay ahead of summer signing Filip Jorgensen in the pecking order.
RB: Malo Gusto – Reece James’ injury has allowed Gusto to impress in the early weeks of the season, but he was given a tough afternoon by Kaoru Mitoma’s speed and endeavour last time out. Forest‘s tricky wingers may cause him similar issues here.
CB: Wesley Fofana – Despite Chelsea flexing their attacking muscles in recent weeks, defensive permeability remains an issue for the Blues. Fofana has arguably been their strongest backline performer in the opening weeks of the season.
CB: Levi Colwill – Having earned another call-up for the England squad for October – where he may feature as a left-back rather than a centre-half – confidence should be high for Cobham graduate Colwill.
LB: Marc Cucurella – Another former Brighton player who was far from his best in the Seagulls’ chaotic visit to Stamford Bridge, Cucurella should be fresh for Sunday’s affair after being an unused substitute in the 4-2 win over Gent midweek.
DM: Moises Caicedo – Having shaken off the rust following a difficult debut season in west London, Caicedo has come into his own under Maresca. He’s unlikely to be pressed with the same intensity against Forest as he was against former employers Brighton.
DM: Enzo Fernandez – Fernandez’s excellent distribution came to the fore against Brighton but the Argentine will have to work harder to find gaps in a defiant Forest defence.
RW: Noni Madueke – After a hat-trick at Wolverhampton Wanderers earlier in the season, Madueke has been an ever-present on the right wing since in the Premier League. While he hasn’t unleased a performance as eye-catching as his Molineux showing, he’s been a key facilitator in the final third.
AM: Cole Palmer – What is there left to say about Palmer? A record-breaker in last weekend’s victory, Forest will have to employ a special plan to stifle the 2023/24 Young Premier League Player of the Season, who is fresh after a midweek rest.
LW: Jadon Sancho – It seems Manchester United was the problem for Sancho all along. Who would have figured, eh? He’s made a quick start to life at Stamford Bridge and has registered three assists in his last three outings.
ST: Nicolas Jackson – Nkunku’s impressive goalscoring record in the cup competitions ensures there is healthy competition for Jackson, who has thoroughly impressed at the start of 2024/25. The Senegal international has an almost telepathic relationship with Palmer.
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