Colwill And Jackson To Start, Madueke On The Bench: Chelsea’s Predicted XI To Play Nottingham Forest

Chelsea scraped past fourth-tier AFC Wimbledon in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday evening and manager Mauricio Pochettino wouldn’t have been that impressed with the performances of some of the fringe players.

It required Enzo Fernandez to rescue the situation off the bench so that the Blues could progress to the third round.

Based on that display, Pochettino will likely return to the team that secured a comfortable victory against Luton last weekend.

Press the next page as we predict the lineup for the game versus Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

GK – Robert Sanchez

The Spaniard clumsily gave away a penalty against Wimbledon while trying to punch the ball clear from a free kick.

In one sense, you can’t fault Sanchez as he was being decisive by coming out for the cross, but his execution was found wanting.

It was disappointing not to see Djordje Petrovic in action, who was still ineligible due to work permit issues, but you do hope the Serbian is able to put pressure on Sanchez for starts.

For the time being, though, the summer signing from Brighton will keep his place in goal.

RWB – Malo Gusto

The Frenchman has taken his chance since captain Reece James was sidelined with a hamstring injury.

After getting two assists against Luton last weekend, he followed it up with a decent cameo from the bench versus Wimbledon.

You do feel that his strengths lie going forward, and it will be interesting to see how he copes when he comes against a tricky winger.

Morgan Gibbs-White will be playing on his side of the pitch when Chelsea take on Forest this weekend, but he will tuck inside, making him more of a problem for the back three.

CB – Axel Disasi

It’s fair to say that the 25-year-old has had a rather underwhelming start to his Chelsea career.

After making mistakes against both Liverpool and West Ham, Disasi has had less eventual games versus Luton and Wimbledon.

One of the big concerns about the centre-back is his poor movement, especially when being pitted against an opposition player in a one-on-one duel.

Disasi did grow into the match on Wednesday night, helping to cover for Bashir Humphreys, and it will be hoped that he can build on that display.

CB – Thiago Silva

The Brazilian was wisely rested by Pochettino for the midweek fixture. As the defender nears his 39th birthday, ensuring that he doesn’t have to play every few days is vital.

You can guarantee that Silva will be back in the lineup for the game against Forest on Saturday.

He will be facing Taiwo Awoniyi who is a bit of a handful, both in terms of his physicality and pace.

The Nigerian international has scored in all three league fixtures so far this campaign, including one at Old Trafford last time out.

CB – Levi Colwill

The defender was forced off against Wimbledon due to an ankle injury but Pochettino has confirmed that he should be available for the weekend.

Colwill did require an ice pack for the knock so there was clearly some swelling. However, it seems that he will be in the starting lineup against Forest.

As the left-sided centre-half in the back three, he is expected to go head-to-head with Brennan Johnson (if he is still a Forest player when the transfer window shuts).

Chelsea were interested in the winger and he will certainly give Colwill something to think about.

LWB – Ben Chilwell

Marc Cucurella did a decent job at left-back midweek but the Spaniard looks set to make a loan move to Manchester United.

Chilwell will, therefore, return to the starting lineup this weekend, and he will be tasked with providing a threat down the left flank.

The 26-year-old should have the beating of Serge Aurier, who is likely to be deployed at right wingback by Forest.

Linking up with Enzo Fernandez and Nicolas Jackson will be the main focus for Chilwell, who will expect to spend a good deal of the game in the final third of the pitch if Chelsea dominate possession.

CM – Moises Caicedo

After making an awful start against West Ham, the Ecuadorian international had a much more assured full debut versus Luton last weekend.

Caicedo followed that up by putting in a decent cameo from the bench against Wimbledon, when he replaced Noni Madueke for the final 10 minutes on Wednesday.

The club’s record signing will be looking to dominate the midfield when the Blues face Forest.

Steve Cooper’s side usually sit back and play on the counterattack away from home, so it will be up to Caicedo to snuff out any danger in transition.

CM – Conor Gallagher

Pochettino is clearly a big fan of the 23-year-old based on the fact that he has started every single match so far this season.

Gallagher doesn’t do anything flashy, but his work rate is appreciated, and he does provide some balance in the middle of the park.

Whether the England international will be a regular starter throughout the campaign, we shall have to wait and see.

In the long term, you would have thought that Caicedo and Fernandez would be the preferred partnership in central midfield.

RW – Raheem Sterling

The winger looks reborn this campaign, having put in two outstanding performances in a row against West Ham and Luton.

Pochettino says both he and the coaching staff have worked hard to get the best out of Sterling over the summer and their efforts are paying off.

A lot of the credit has to go to the player as well, who has claimed that he spent the off-season falling back in love with the game.

Sterling is clearly enjoying his football at the moment and long may that continue.

CF – Nicolas Jackson

Every Chelsea supporter was delighted when the Senegalese international got off the mark last weekend.

Jackson’s performances have been excellent at the beginning of the season and he fully deserved his goal against Luton.

The forward does offer so much in terms of his all-round game, and he must be a nightmare to defend against.

Considering Forest conceded three times against United last time out, Jackson may have a few more opportunities to get on the scoresheet on Saturday.

LW – Enzo Fernandez

Pochettino has been wise to hand the 22-year-old a free role in the attacking third of the pitch.

Fernandez is Chelsea’s most creative player and playing him so deep last season was a real waste of his talents.

The Argentinian’s goal midweek will also be a confidence boost for him, and he will be hoping to be just as influential against Forest.

Not many are doubting Fernandez’s nine-figure price tag now.