Chelsea travel to Anfield this weekend to face Liverpool, with the Blues desperate to arrest a concerning slump in Premier League form against the reigning champions. Manager Calum McFarlane, however, is grappling with a severe injury crisis that has stripped him of five wingers, forcing significant adjustments ahead of what promises to be a fiery encounter on Merseyside.
In his Thursday pre-match press conference, McFarlane confirmed that Alejandro Garnacho and Pedro Neto remain sidelined with muscular injuries. Both players missed Monday’s 3-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest and will not recover in time for Anfield. The situation worsened with Jesse Derry, the 18-year-old winger who was stretchered off after a head collision with Zach Abbott during that same match. While McFarlane noted “positive signs” from the hospital, Derry has been ruled out for the Liverpool trip.
Longer-term absences further complicate matters. Estevao Willian will miss the remainder of the season with a hamstring injury, while Jamie Gittens is also unavailable, with his return date still uncertain. The cumulative loss of attacking width leaves McFarlane with limited options on the flanks.
Between the posts and at the back, key calls await. Robert Sanchez is unavailable as Chelsea observe concussion protocol following his head injury on Monday. Filip Jorgensen is therefore expected to return between the sticks for his first start since March. At the other end of the pitch, Reece James is widely tipped to reclaim his right-back berth after an unexpected absence from the Forest match, bringing much-needed experience and leadership.
Two respected Chelsea voices have now delivered their verdict on how McFarlane should set up the side. Bobby Vincent and Amie Wilson both see James and Cole Palmer as non-negotiable starters, creating a potent “Palmer-James agreement” that could unlock attacking transitions on the right side.
Bobby Vincent’s preferred XI Jorgensen; James, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella; Santos, Caicedo; Palmer, Fernandez, Joao Pedro; Delap
Vincent advocates for a swift return of Levi Colwill alongside Trevoh Chalobah at centre-back, citing Colwill’s positive impact off the bench against Forest. In midfield, he prefers Andrey Santos alongside Moises Caicedo for added energy and dynamism, with Enzo Fernandez operating in the No.10 role. Joao Pedro is shifted to the left wing out of necessity, while Liam Delap leads the line.
Amie Wilson’s preferred XI Jorgensen; James, Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella; Lavia, Caicedo; Palmer, Fernandez, Joao Pedro; Delap
Wilson agrees on James’ importance but leans towards Wesley Fofana’s physical presence in central defence, potentially partnering Chalobah, while suggesting Colwill could be eased in from the bench to manage his workload. She also favours Romeo Lavia’s composure alongside Caicedo in midfield, with the same attacking front three of Palmer, Fernandez, and Joao Pedro supporting Delap.
Both analysts recognise the awkward necessity of deploying Joao Pedro on the left. While far from ideal given his natural central tendencies, the depth crisis leaves McFarlane few alternatives. The shared belief in Palmer operating from the right, linked with an on-form James, offers Chelsea their clearest route to creating danger against Liverpool’s high defensive line.
Anfield is never an easy venue, especially against champions in strong domestic form. Yet the consensus around Jorgensen in goal, James at right-back, Caicedo anchoring midfield, and the creative axis of Palmer and Fernandez provides Chelsea with a competitive, if patched-up, foundation.