Chelsea’s predicted XI vs Forest as Carabao Cup display to be rewarded

Mauricio Pochettino refuses to be drawn on Chelsea’s interest in Cole Palmer

Mauricio Pochettino is set to bring the big guns back into the fold when Nottingham Forest come to town on Saturday. Chelsea rested a number of their top players for the midweek win over AFC Wimbledon, and Express Sport takes you through how the Blues are likely to set up against the Tricky Trees, with Noni Madueke in a strong position to be rewarded for his impressive Carabao Cup display…

Goalkeeper: Sanchez

Djordje Petrovic now poses a real threat to Robert Sanchez’s starting spot between the sticks. But it seems unlikely that the 23-year-old, signed from New England Revolution this summer, will be phased in at this early stage.

Sanchez has plenty of Premier League experience with Brighton, and it would be a surprise to see him relegated to the bench so soon. The Spaniard may even fancy his chances of an entire season at No 1 following the departures of Kepa Arrizabalaga and Edouard Mendy.

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Defence: Disasi, Silva, Colwill

Pochettino’s experimental formation has seen him land on a back-three that have started every Premier League game thus far. Thiago Silva, 38, remains in the heart of defence, where he can use all his experience to drag Chelsea through a potentially tough test against Forest.

Either side of the Brazilian, Axel Disasi and Levi Colwill are both well over a decade his junior. But Blues fans will have high hopes of the duo solidifying their spot in the starting XI for years to come.

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Midfield: Gusto, Caicedo, Enzo, Chilwell

With Reece James out injured, Malo Gusto looks set to continue at right wing-back. In fact, the 20-year-old’s arrival now looks a shrewd piece of transfer business from Chelsea, with supporters encouraged by his two assists against Luton Town last Friday.

Ben Chilwell has been playing surprisingly advanced on the left so far this campaign, while Enzo Fernandez is starting to come into his own in central midfield. After enduring a rocky debut and steadying the ship in his second appearance, £115million man Moises Caicedo is likely to get the nod alongside him.

Attack: Sterling, Jackson, Madueke

Pochettino is still working out his best XI at Stamford Bridge. At times, Conor Gallagher has offered an extra body in midfield, leaving Nicolas Jackson and Raheem Sterling to provide the threat up top.

But Madueke’s goalscoring performance against AFC Wimbledon on Wednesday may have been enough to earn him a start. The 21-year-old finished last season strongly under Frank Lampard and may be lined up for a chance to impress if the Blues start in a 3-4-3 formation.

Nicolas Jackson has been lively through the middle since his summer move from Villarreal, and Raheem Sterling is nailed-on to complete the attacking trio after his electric start to the campaign.

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