Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Malik Ouzia

Chelsea XI vs Southampton: Confirmed team news, predicted lineup and injury latest for Premier League game

Cole Palmer is looking to spark Chelsea back into life - (ES Composite)

Enzo Maresca has hinted that Pedro Neto will continue in his new role at centre-forward when Chelsea host Southampton in the Premier League on Tuesday night.

The Blues are without first-choice No9 Nicolas Jackson because of a hamstring injury, with backup striker Marc Guiu also injured in the game against West Ham earlier this month.

Maresca had initially used Christopher Nkunku at centre-forward in the absence of that pair and even experimented with Cole Palmer as a false nine in the defeat to Brighton a fortnight ago.

However, neither formula worked and Maresca instead turned to Neto to lead the line in Saturday’s meeting with Aston Villa.

While Chelsea’s dismal run of form continued with a 2-1 defeat, Neto’s performance was a notable bright spot, with the Portuguese creating Enzo Fernandez’s opening goal.

“It could be a good option,” Maresca said, when asked whether the winger would keep his place for the visit of Saints. “We tried with Neto in days before the game and we saw he could do that. It was a positive one.”

Meanwhile, Chelsea will be without centre-back Trevor Chalobah, who was forced off early in the loss at Villa and is set to miss the next two games.

Tosin Adarabioyo replaced Chalobah at Villa Park and is likely to come into the XI, though academy graduate Josh Acheampong is another option.

Maresca must also decide whether to again use Reece James in midfield, but has been cautious with his captain’s minutes and could instead recall Jadon Sancho further up the pitch.

Chelsea predicted XI: Jorgensen; Gusto, Tosin, Colwill, Cucurella; Fernandez, Caicedo; Sancho, Palmer, Nkunku; Neto

Injured: Jackson, Guiu, Chalobah, Lavia, Fofana, Madueke, Badiashile, Kellyman

Unavailable: Mudryk

Time and date: 8.15pm GMT on Tuesday 25 February 2025

Venue: Stamford Bridge

TV channel and live stream: TNT Sports

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.