Following their 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa, Chelsea really need a win when they take on Bournemouth on Tuesday.
Enzo Maresca’s side have now dropped out of the top four and are currently 10 points behind the team who just beat them.
A couple of players did perform well against Villa. For example, Robert Sanchez showed everyone that he is a top goalkeeper with another high-level performance.
Why aren’t Chelsea killing off games? 👎
Chelsea have dropped 11 points from winning positions in home Premier League matches this season — four more than any other side.
— BBC Sport
However, not everyone in Chelsea’s backline had a good day, which is why at least one change for the Bournemouth clash is inevitable.
- READ MORE: Enzo Maresca explains the major issue Chelsea have as they drop more points against Aston Villa
Enzo Maresca will start Wesley Fofana in Chelsea vs Bournemouth
If he is available for selection, then Wesley Fofana coming in for Benoit Badiashile is practically guaranteed.
Understandably, Maresca is trying to manage Fofana carefully after all of the defender’s injury problems.
As a result, Badiashile was given an opportunity against Villa, but the 24-year-old failed to take it. It was his poor pass into midfield that saw Unai Emery’s side regain possession before equalising through Ollie Watkins.
What changes would you like to see Enzo Maresca make for the Bournemouth game? 🤔
Fofana coming in surely has to be one of them!
Earlier this month, Maresca discussed Fofana and Trevoh Chalobah, claiming that they are the best centre-back partnership at the club right now. That became apparent after watching Chalobah and Badiashile’s struggles against Watkins and Villa in the second half of Saturday’s loss.
With that in mind, you can expect Fofana to resume his partnership with Chalobah on Tuesday.
Another change Enzo Maresca has to consider making
As well as Badiashile, Pedro Neto did not have his best game in a blue shirt either.
Neto has been one of Chelsea’s top performers this term, but after a quiet afternoon against Villa and with the Blues having to play so many fixtures, it may be worth giving Estevao Willian a chance next time.
Estevao, who has scored in wins over Barcelona and Liverpool this season, is available again after a small injury and has already proven that he can make an impact.
Fofana returning to the team, though, is one change that Maresca definitely has to make.
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