Chelsea Fans’ Preferred Starting XI vs. Nottingham Forest: A New Look Midfield Emerges
As Chelsea prepare to face Nottingham Forest in their latest Premier League clash, expectations were high that the international break would give the Blues a chance to recover some key players. Unfortunately, that hasn’t entirely come to fruition. Despite hopes of a healthier squad, manager Mauricio Pochettino still has to contend with a lengthy injury list—more than a dozen players are either sidelined or otherwise unavailable for this weekend’s fixture.
While some absences were anticipated, others have come as a bit of a surprise—especially in midfield. Both Enzo Fernández and Moisés Caicedo, two of Chelsea’s marquee signings, are reportedly set to miss the match. Interestingly, neither is known to be suffering from any major injuries at the moment, raising questions about whether their exclusion is down to fitness management, rest, or possibly a precautionary decision following their recent international duties. Regardless, their absence opens the door for a new midfield pairing to take the spotlight.
A Fresh Midfield Duo: Lavia and Santos Get the Nod
With Enzo and Caicedo out of the picture, Chelsea fans have rallied behind a new central midfield pairing: Roméo Lavia and Andrey Santos. Both youngsters have dealt with injuries earlier in the season but are expected to be fit and ready to feature today. This match offers a significant opportunity for them to prove themselves and establish chemistry in the engine room. Lavia’s defensive awareness paired with Santos’ box-to-box capabilities could bring a refreshing dynamic to the midfield.
This new pairing is perhaps the most notable change in a lineup that otherwise reflects the reality of Chelsea’s limited squad options at the moment.
Community-Backed Lineup: A 4-2-3-1 Formation
According to the We Ain’t Got No History (WAGNH) community, Chelsea fans overwhelmingly support a 4-2-3-1 formation (preferred by 82% of voters), built around the available personnel. Here’s how the fan-preferred starting XI shapes up:
Goalkeeper:
- Robert Sánchez (95%) retains his place between the posts as the clear first-choice keeper.
Defense:
- Marc Cucurella (95%) and Reece James (90%) are the fan favorites to start as full-backs.
- Trevoh Chalobah (85%) partners with Tosin Adarabioyo (58%) in central defense, a solid mix of physicality and ball-playing ability.
Midfield:
- As mentioned, Roméo Lavia (81%) and Andrey Santos (72%) form the central pivot, tasked with balancing defense and attack.
Attack:
- In the attacking midfield trio, Alejandro Garnacho (82%), Facundo Buonanotte (33%), and Estêvão (90%) make up the creative force behind the striker.
- João Pedro (95%), a consistent fan pick, leads the line as the lone center forward.
One notable selection here is Buonanotte, who seems to be the primary beneficiary of Cole Palmer’s unfortunate injury. With Palmer expected to be out for at least six weeks, Buonanotte may have a golden opportunity to showcase his skill and stake a longer-term claim for a starting role.
Bench Options: Young Talent and Returnees
The fan-voted substitutes’ bench highlights Chelsea’s depth—or lack thereof—with several young talents and recently returned players earning support. Leading the bench are:
- Wesley Fofana (41%)
- Malo Gusto (35%)
- Marc Guiu (28%)
- Jamie Gittens (25%)
Each of these players could be called upon depending on the flow of the match, with Gusto potentially offering attacking thrust from full-back and Guiu providing an alternative up front.
Final Thoughts
While Chelsea are still far from having a fully fit squad, this fan-chosen lineup reflects both optimism and adaptability. The enforced changes in midfield could, ironically, offer Pochettino new tactical options and give promising talents like Lavia and Santos valuable minutes. Against a competitive Nottingham Forest side, how this young and somewhat experimental lineup performs could be pivotal in keeping Chelsea’s campaign on track.
As always, all eyes will be on the pitch—and perhaps on the treatment room—as the Blues aim for three crucial points away from home.