Sanchez dropped, Neto starts, Nkunku dilemma - Chelsea lineups vs Nottingham Forest

football.london's Chelsea writers have their say on who Enzo Maresca should pick in his starting lineup to face Brighton

Chelsea return to Premier League action at the weekend as they host Nottingham Forest.

Enzo Maresca's side impressed against Gent in the Europa Conference League in midweek, with goals from Renato Veiga, Pedro Neto, Christopher Nkunku and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall ensuring the Blues came away 4-2 winners. The win made it five victories in a row for Chelsea in all competitions and Maresca will be keen to make it six against Nottingham Forest on Sunday.

With the team playing so well and only Reece James struggling with injury, Maresca has somewhat of a selection headache going into the fixture. "When you win games it always creates energy, trust, confidence,” he said. “It’s helping the process.

“But the players are the first to recognise when the team plays well or not. The results are helping but they are convinced because they can see clearly the purpose and identity we have.

“Results help (to bring calm). It’s the reason why it is what it is. For the first two months we had a lot of noise around the club, though I said inside it was quiet. Hopefully we can continue in the way we are now.

“I like to be focused on the things I can control. The only part I can control is the football side. All the noise around the club is something I can not control.”

READ MORE: Enzo Maresca makes honest Chelsea title claim as Arsenal and Man City plan clear

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So, with that in mind, football.london's writers have had their say on what team Maresca should pick against Nottingham Forest. Read their views, below!

Sam Truelove

Things are looking bright for Chelsea in the early stages of the season. Although chaos will likely return in the future, Blues supporters should enjoy this period of success as it hasn't been experienced for quite some time!

With fixtures against Liverpool, Newcastle and Manchester United to come after the clash against Nottingham Forest, it's important Chelsea get three points on Sunday. After Robert Sanchez's recent mistakes, I think it's a good time to start Filip Jorgensen. The 22-year-old has looked decent when he has started this season while Sanchez has looked a little shaky.

In defence, I would stick with the same back four which started against Brighton & Hove Albion. Malo Gusto, Wesley Fofana, Levi Colwill and Marc Cucurella have not done bad in the opening weeks of the season and probably need more time to gel. Ahead of them it's Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez, who do really look good together.

Jadon Sancho is my left winger of choice while on the right I think Pedro Neto deserves a chance from the off. He impressed against Gent on Thursday and Noni Madueke has gone off the boil, in my opinion. Nicolas Jackson leads the line with Cole Palmer just behind him. The England international can't score another four goals, can he?

Sam's XI: Jorgensen; Cucurella, Colwill, Fofana, Gusto; Caicedo, Enzo; Sancho, Palmer, Neto; Jackson.

Jake Stokes

As shaky as Robert Sanchez has been this season, I think Enzo Maresca will stick with the 26-year-old goalkeeper between the sticks. With that being said, though, I'd like to see Filip Jorgensen given a run in the Premier League after the international break.

Not only does he deserve the chance to impress on the big stage, but the move could give Sanchez a wakeup call. At the back, I'd love to see Renato Veiga start at left-back after his strong display against Gent on Thursday night, but Marc Cucurella hasn't put a foot wrong all season – the Spaniard has been class!

Levi Colwill, Wesley Fofana and Malo Gusto are also mainstays in the Chelsea lineup – Benoit Badiashile and Axel Disasi need to do a lot more to displace either of the trio. Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez pick themselves in the middle of park, although I'd like to see Romeo Lavia make his return from the bench.

On the left-wing, I'd like to see Jadon Sancho keep his place in the side. As impressive as Noni Madueke was in pre-season and at the start of the season, I think Pedro Neto has done enough to take his spot on the right-wing.

And, of course, it goes without saying that Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson start. I'm excited to see how Maresca plans to combine the duo with Christopher Nkunku, who's been really sharp this term.

Jake's XI: Sanchez; Cucurella, Colwill, Fofana, Gusto; Caicedo, Enzo; Sancho, Palmer, Neto; Jackson.

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