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Chelsea host relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest on Monday afternoon at Stamford Bridge looking to end a two-month wait for a Premier League victory. The Blues have not won in the top flight since March 4 and have not tasted success at home in the league since late January. Following the uplifting FA Cup semi-final triumph over Leeds United, interim head coach Calum McFarlane has a golden opportunity to transform the mood around the club even further with a vital three points.
With confidence returning to Cobham, speculation around the starting XI has intensified. Football.london writers Bobby Vincent and Jake Stokes have offered their insights into the lineup McFarlane should deploy — and the selections contain notable storylines, including the return of Levi Colwill and the retention of Alejandro Garnacho.
Defensive Solidity with a Welcome Return
Both writers agree on a strong foundation in goal and at full-back. Robert Sanchez retains his place between the posts after an impressive display at Wembley, boosting his confidence as he aims to re-establish himself as Chelsea’s number one.
Malo Gusto is the consensus pick at right-back, with Reece James likely eased back into action from the bench rather than rushed into the starting lineup. Marc Cucurella continues on the left, providing balance and energy.
In central defence, Jorrel Hato is widely expected to start, with both analysts highlighting his strong recent form. Bobby Vincent pairs him alongside Trevoh Chalobah, while Jake Stokes also endorses Hato’s inclusion. Crucially, Levi Colwill is back in the fold after nine months sidelined. While he may not start immediately, his availability off the bench represents a significant boost to Chelsea’s defensive depth and long-term options.
Midfield Control and Creative Freedom
The engine room sees slight variations between the two writers. Bobby Vincent advocates for Andrey Santos to partner Moises Caicedo, allowing Enzo Fernandez to push into a more advanced role where he excelled during the FA Cup semi-final. Jake Stokes prefers to keep the reliable Caicedo-Lavia pivot intact, with Fernandez operating further forward.
This setup gives Chelsea balance — steel in front of the defence and creativity to unlock Forest’s backline.
Attack Packed with Quality and Intent
The forward line carries the biggest attacking potential. Cole Palmer returns to the right wing in both XIs, a non-negotiable selection given his world-class ability. On the opposite flank, Pedro Neto is favoured by both writers to provide width and directness.
Notably, Alejandro Garnacho features in the conversation despite recent struggles. While Bobby Vincent suggests he “deserves to be dropped,” his inclusion in broader discussions reflects the depth of attacking talent McFarlane can call upon. Retaining Garnacho could provide the unpredictable spark needed to catch Forest off guard.
Leading the line is Joao Pedro, who was exceptional against Leeds and must continue as the focal point alongside Palmer if Chelsea are to maximise their attacking threat and push for European qualification.
Bobby Vincent’s XI: Sanchez; Gusto, Chalobah, Hato, Cucurella; Santos, Caicedo; Palmer, Fernandez, Neto; Joao Pedro
Jake Stokes’ XI: Sanchez; Gusto, Chalobah, Hato, Cucurella; Caicedo, Lavia; Palmer, Fernandez, Neto; Joao Pedro
A Statement of Intent
By incorporating Colwill’s return into the squad equation and maintaining attacking firepower that includes options like Garnacho, Chelsea have the tools to deliver a decisive performance. A victory against Nottingham Forest would not only end a long winless run in the Premier League but also send a clear message that the Blues are regrouping under McFarlane.
Monday afternoon at Stamford Bridge could mark the beginning of a much-needed turnaround. With the right blend of defensive resilience, midfield control, and attacking flair, Chelsea possess a lineup capable of delivering a death blow to Forest’s survival hopes.