Chelsea travel to face Wolves on Sunday afternoon as the Blues look to bounce back from defeat on the Premier League’s opening weekend.
Enzo Maresca registered his first win as Chelsea manager in Europe in midweek and will want to build on that performance at Molineux.
Chelsea XI vs Wolves – Predicted lineup and team news
Chelsea Team News
Chelsea’s relentless recruitment continued this week with the £45m return of Joao Felix from Atletico Madrid. The Portugal international spent the second half of the 2022/23 season on loan in West London, where he scored four times in 20 appearances, and has returned to the club on a permanent basis.
Chelsea is where he belongs. 🏡
We are delighted to announce the signing of Joao Felix from Atletico Madrid. 🇵🇹🔵 pic.twitter.com/k8jF2PNSgV
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 21, 2024
Maresca has confirmed that Felix is available for selection at Molineux, where he will compete for a place in a bloated Chelsea squad. Cole Palmer is expected to start despite appearing in discomfort at full-time of the midweek win over Swiss side Servette, with Maresca alleviating fears over the Blues’ talisman after their Europa Conference League victory.
Christopher Nkunku was one of just two players to retain their place in the side against Servette and opened the scoring from the penalty spot. Maresca made nine changes to the team for the midweek win, though selected Nkunku from the start as the Frenchman looks to find his form after an injury-hit debut campaign at Stamford Bridge. Pedro Neto could make his first Premier League start for Chelsea against the side he left in a club-record sale earlier in the transfer window. However, Noni Madueke – who scored on Thursday – is also pushing for a place in the XI.
In goal, Robert Sanchez is set to return to the team. The Spaniard was at fault for Manchester City’s second goal last weekend after getting a weak hand to Mateo Kovacic’s effort. However, Maresca has confirmed that Sanchez will likely remain Chelsea’s first-choice goalkeeper in the Premier League, with summer signing Filip Jorgensen used in cup competition and Europe.
Chelsea remain without Reece James who is suspended for the clash at Wolves, even if the club captain recovers from a hamstring complaint picked up in pre-season. Malo Gusto will continue at right-back.
Chelsea Predicted Lineup vs Wolves
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez,; Palmer, Nkunku, Neto; Jackson.
Wolves vs Chelsea kick-off time and TV channel
Wolves vs Chelsea will not be televised live to a UK audience. Kick-off is scheduled for 2pm BST at Molineux.
