Preview for Chelsea v Sunderland
Enzo Maresca has to weigh up whether to unleash his terrific teenagers on Sunderland tomorrow.
A youthful Chelsea side thrashed Ajax 5-1 in the Champions League in midweek with Marc Guiu, 19, Estevao Willian, 18 and Tyrique George, 19, all getting on the scoresheet.
The one-sided nature of the game against the 10-man Amsterdammers also enabled Maresca to make 17-year-old Reggie Walsh the youngest player to play for the club in Europe’s elite club competition.
Speaking today, Maresca said: “I said after the [Ajax] game it was a special night, special for the club and the fans with so many young players.
“We are full of good, young, talented players and the main thing for me is just to try to help them day by day get better and better. It’s the only way to improve the team if you can help the players.”
A second game in four days may be asking too much for players still developing and Maresca hinted he would select a more experienced XI against the Wearsiders.
He added: ”The balance for me is quite easy in terms of, we have 24 or 25 good players but in the end only 11 can start.
“Since I joined the club, I showed that depending on the game and plan, we will change players. I know that when they don’t play they are not happy but it’s not about one, it’s about all of them. They also know that they cannot play every game.”
Sunderland have been the pick of the promoted clubs after clinching a place in the top-flight via the play-offs last season and sit seventh in the table.
Not many of the team that beat Sheffield United have kept their places this term with the club investing heavily on Premier League-ready talent over the summer.
Well-organised and defensively sound, if a little blunt in attack, Regis Le Bris’ men will present a serious test for the Blues tomorrow.
“I spent one season with Leicester in the Championship and I loved the Championship,” said Maresca. “Even if we play Premier League or Champions League, I always watch the Championship so I have watched Sunderland since last season when the new manager arrived.
“They are doing very good, not just from this season but last season as well. They play good football. They are quite strong, physically strong. I really like the way they are doing things.”
Team News for Chelsea v Sunderland
Maresca confirmed striker Liam Delap is back in training but he won’t be rushed back for tomorrow. That may give another chance to Guiu who spent a short spell on loan at Sunderland earlier in the season before being recalled.
Malo Gusto is suspended.
Sunderland have suffered a major blow with centre-half Omar Alderete ruled out due to concussion protocols. That could mean an immediate return to the side for Reinildo, who has served a three-game ban following his dismissal against Aston Villa.
Lutsharel Geertruida could be preferred to Chris Rigg in midfield.
Predicted line-ups for Chelsea v Sunderland
Chelsea: Sanchez; James, Chalobah, Adarabioyo, Cucurella; Fernandez, Caicedo, Neto, Estevao, Santos; Pedro
Sunderland: Roefs; Hume, Ballard, Mukiele, Reinildo; Xhaka, Sadiki, Geertruida, Le Fee, Talbi; Isidor
How to watch Chelsea v Sunderland: TV and online streams
Chelsea versus Sunderland kicks-off at 3pm tomorrow. It is not available to watch on TV or stream in the UK.
Stats for Chelsea v Sunderland
- Chelsea have won their last three home league games against Sunderland by an aggregate score of 11-3, most recently a 5-1 victory on the final day of the 2016-17 campaign
- Having won four of their first six Premier League games against Chelsea between 1996 and 2001 (L2), Sunderland have since won just three of their 26 against the Blues (D2 L21)
- Only Manchester City (34) have earned more home points in the Premier League in 2025 than Chelsea (33 – W10 D3 L1), with the Blues sole defeat at Stamford Bridge this calendar year coming against Brighton last month
