Chelsea line-ups for Everton as Cole Palmer decision made amid Alejandro Garnacho disagreement
Football March 20, 2026 04:40 PM

Chelsea do not have time to feel too sorry for themselves after Tuesday evening's humiliating defeat at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain, with the Blues in action on Saturday evening once again.

Liam Rosenior's side travel to the Hill Dickinson Stadium for the first-ever time as they look to put a terrible week behind them. Three defeats on the bounce against Newcastle United and PSG twice puts Rosenior and his side in the spotlight going into Saturday's match.

With all of this being said, our Chelsea writers Bobby Vincent and Jake Stokes discuss what they would do regarding the line-up for this weekend's trip.

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Bobby Vincent

With Filip Jorgensen sidelined for the foreseeable future, there is no question about Robert Sanchez in goal. In front of him, though, there is much more of a debate to be had.

Malo Gusto, for me, should start on the right-hand side of defence. The France international missed the second-leg defeat to PSG but should be fine for the trip to Liverpool. Alongside Gusto, with Trevoh Chalobah missing, I would go for Wesley Fofana, Mamadou Sarr and Marc Cucurella.

There is a case for Romeo Lavia to start in the centre of midfield alongside Moises Caicedo but I would be instead tempted to use Andrey Santos there. Cole Palmer on the right wing in the final match before a two-week international break, with Enzo Fernandez in the No.10 and Pedro Neto on the left-hand side.

Joao Pedro deserves to keep his place as the No.9 but has now gone a few games without finding the net. Liam Delap as an option from the bench, but he needs to do more if called upon.

Bobby's XI: Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Sarr, Cucurella; Caicedo, Santos; Palmer, Fernandez, Neto; Joao Pedro

Jake Stokes

Chelsea cannot afford to fall any further behind in the race for qualification to the UEFA Champions League, so they need to throw the kitchen sink at Everton this weekend. Not only would anything less than a win significantly dent the Blues' chances of catching Aston Villa and Liverpool, but it would also put Rosenior under immense pressure.

Sanchez should, of course, remain between the sticks; he'll be a key player for Chelsea during the end-of-season run-in. With James and Chalobah nursing injuries, Gusto and Josh Acheampong should start at right-back and centre-half, respectively, assuming the former has shaken off his illness.

In the middle of the park, Santos should be rested and replaced by Lavia, who's been slowly building up his match fitness. Unfortunately for Caicedo and Fernandez, who could do with some respite, they have to start.

On the right, Palmer. On the left Garnacho. The former Manchester United winger was enjoying a good vein of form at the start of the month; I wanted him to start at least one of the two legs against Paris Saint-Germain, but he was overlooked in favour of Neto.

Up top, Joao Pedro. Delap needs to offer a far more quality off the bench before he can begin asking for a start in the Premier League.

Jake's XI: Sanchez; Gusto, Acheampong, Fofana, Hato; Caicedo, Lavia; Palmer, Fernandez, Garnacho; Joao Pedro

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