Three ways Chelsea could line up against Wolves if Cole Palmer is injured, including risky formation Enzo Maresca has already used

Add as preferred source on Google

Chelsea could be without their talisman Cole Palmer for Monday’s fixture against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

On Friday, Enzo Maresca revealed in his pre-match press conference that Cole Palmer had not trained, making him a doubt for the Blues’ upcoming game.

It would be a huge blow, with the attacking midfielder having another stunning season at Stamford Bridge.

With Palmer possibly set to miss the match, The Chelsea Chronicle takes a look at how Maresca’s side could line up without him.

• READ MORE: What Chelsea have just told AC Milan after they make approach to sign Joao Felix in January

Joao Felix starts as the No.10

Most Chelsea fans will be expecting Joao Felix to come into the team’s usual 4-2-3-1 set-up should Palmer be unavailable.

Preferring to play behind a centre-forward, aside from having to help fund Atletico Madrid’s move for Conor Gallagher, this is the main reason why Chelsea bought Felix: to cover for Palmer.

Felix has also looked very bright lately. The 25-year-old won the free-kick that Reece James dispatched in the Blues’ 2-2 draw with Bournemouth, while he scored two goals in their 5-0 FA Cup win against Morecambe.

Christopher Nkunku starts as the No.10

Alternatively, Christopher Nkunku could come in for Palmer. Like Felix, the Frenchman is at his best when he is playing alongside a recognised striker.

Nicolas Jackson has really struggled in front of goal of late, missing a host of chances against Bournemouth, so it may make sense for Maresca to get a finisher like Nkunku into the side.

There is a lot of speculation surrounding his future, though. Bayern Munich want to sign Nkunku, and you have to wonder whether that interest is distracting him.

Joao Felix and Christopher Nkunku both start in 4-1-4-1 formation

It seems unlikely, but Maresca could always start both Felix and Nkunku, using two attacking midfielders instead of one to fill the huge void Palmer’s absence would leave.

Maresca’s done it once before, in Chelsea’s 8-0 win against Noah in the Conference League.

This is not the Conference League, though. It would be extremely risky to start a Premier League game with five attackers and just one midfielder.

All in all, it will certainly be interesting to see what Chelsea’s head coach does if Palmer is unavailable for selection on Monday.