Chelsea fans have taken to social media to react to their starting lineup ahead of the clash against Everton. The Blues have invited the Toffees to Stamford Bridge for an important Premier League match, which could affect their top-five hopes by the end of the season.
Enzo Maresca has opted for two big changes ahead of the game. He has reintroduced Romeo Lavia into the midfield for what will be the youngster’s first start since January. The manager has also kept captain Reece James on the bench, following the right-back’s error in their 2-1 win over Fulham (April 20).
The full starting lineup sees Robert Sanchez take up the spot between the sticks. Trevoh Chalobah, Levi Colwill, and Marc Cucurella will all start as defenders, but it is uncertain who might take the right-back slot currently. Moises Caicedo might play in that role, with Romeo Lavia taking up his usual spot in midfield.
Enzo Fernandez will hold the middle of the park alongside the young midfielder, with Cole Palmer ahead of them in a playmaker role. Nicolas Jackson will lead the line, with Noni Madueke and Pedro Neto in flanking roles.
This is a similar lineup to the one that secured a 2-1 victory over Fulham in the last gameweek. Late goals from Tyrique George and Pedro Neto were enough to propel the Blues to clinch all three points and continue their chase for Champions League qualification.
Fans reacted to the starting lineup with comments like these:
Where’s George?
— Fuego (@CFCFuego) April 26, 2025
Nah, Fam. idgaf about inverting RB just play the players at their positions & don’t bench Reece again.
— 🐼 (@Timotheus1887) April 26, 2025
The lineup look good but why is James on the bench???
— Boyy.Aim (@aim_boyy) April 26, 2025
Jackson again🤦🏽♂️🤦🏽♂️ we definitely not scoring
— Fuego (@CFCFuego) April 26, 2025
@TByusuff is Maresca mad??
Why is Caicedo playing as a right back with James on the bench na?? 😭😭
— Hillary Remy (@HopeRemy) April 26, 2025
Caicedo RB with Lavia DM. Interesting, let’s hope Lavia stays fit
— Vᴅʏᴋ (@VdykCFC) April 26, 2025
Maresca’s biggest problem is the reluctance to play Palmer at RW and dropping another winger to have a balanced midfield. That’s why Caicedo would be playing RB today
— Mazi Akinola (@mazi_akinola) April 26, 2025
Chelsea host Everton at Stamford Bridge: Preview
Chelsea know that three points against Everton will go a long way in their chase for a finish in Champions League spots. The Toffees are safe from relegation and are too low in the table to fight for much, but Enzo Maresca’s men have a lot to lose if they fail to win.
The Blues currently sit in sixth place on the Premier League table with 57 points. They know that a win will put them in fourth place, helping them get past Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United.
If they do win, the pressure now falls on Forest and the Magpies to win their own games or risk falling down the table. A draw will give only one point to Chelsea, which won’t cut it at this period of the season, where every game feels like an important final.
