With the starting lineups announced moments ago, Chelsea skipper Enzo Maresca has raised a blatant middle finger to visiting Ajax.
The right side is strong, featuring the ever-dangerous Moises Caicedo at back, pugnacious Enzo Fernandez in the midfield and silky Estévão up top. The left, however, is a decidedly ‘B’ team. Dutch back Jorrel Hato has logged all of 167 minutes this season. Midfielder Roméo Lavia is making his first start back from a long injury and has only played 97 minutes so far. On the wing is Jamie Gittens, signed for over $64M from Borussia Dortmund and has yet to make any splash at all.
Up top, young Spaniard Marc Guiu makes his first Chelsea start. His previous four appearances lasted 84 minutes total. Facundo Buonanotte, who spent last season on loan at Brighton & Chelsea Albion, makes his third start for the Blues at the ten.
I have questions about the center back selection as well. Wesley Fofana has only recently returned from injury and only played 220 minutes in all campaigns since August. Tosin Adarabioyo was a stellar performer until suffering a calf problem in mid-September. He returned last week in the Nottingham Forest fixture.
So Chelsea is basically fielding a bunch of kids and first-timers. If I were Ajax, I’d take that personally.
