Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca is confident that his side will not be hindered by suspension issues for Sunday's Premier League fixture at Liverpool.
The Blues make the trip to Anfield sitting four points adrift of the leaders in the Premier League standings, despite having put together a six-game unbeaten run.
Although Chelsea could only draw 1-1 with Nottingham Forest before the October international break, there have been signs that Maresca's new-look squad are developing in a positive way.
However, while Maresca has generally made sweeping changes for cup competitions and retained a regular XI in the Premier League, that will not be the case for the visit to Merseyside.
Having collected their fifth yellow cards of the season versus Forest, Wesley Fofana and Marc Cucurella will serve a one-match ban.
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"It's not a problem"
Tinkering with what has generally become a settled backline could pose its issues for Maresca, particularly when facing opponents who have won six of their seven top-flight fixtures during 2024-25.
Nevertheless, despite being required to make a double alteration, Maresca is seemingly relaxed about drafting two players into the side for a rare Premier League start.
Speaking to reporters at a press conference, the Italian said: "It's not a problem. I said since we start that I am very happy with the squad. I am very happy with the players that we are using.
"Since we start, we have tried to share the minutes between all the competition that we have. So we have two suspended players who are not able to play, so we are going to find different players that can play."
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Who will come into the side?
The likelihood is that Tosin Adarabioyo will be named alongside Levi Colwill in the centre of the Chelsea defence.
Adarabioyo was drafted into the starting lineup for last month's 3-0 win at West Ham United, with Fofana moving out to right-back on that occasion.
Renato Veiga is expected to get the nod over Ben Chilwell at left-back. Although the Portuguese deputised in central midfield versus Bournemouth earlier in the season, he should revert to left-back on this occasion.
Maresca has declared that Reece James is fit enough to return to the squad having recovered from a hamstring injury and taken part in training this week.
Although that creates a scenario where the club captain could start at right-back and Malo Gusto move to the left, the England international is unlikely to be rushed back into action.
Darren Plant
