Confirmed Chelsea lineup vs Newcastle as Enzo Fernandez starts, Christopher Nkunku on bench

At Stamford Bridge, Chelsea will face Newcastle United in an attempt to advance to the Carabao Cup semi-finals. Mauricio Pochettino has selected a formidable starting lineup for the match.

Enzo Fernandez of Chelsea FC during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Sheffield United (Image: 2023 Visionhaus)

For Chelsea’s Carabao Cup quarterfinal matchup against Newcastle United, Mauricio Pochettino has made one change to his team. Enzo Fernandez, who only made a bench appearance against Sheffield United, is back in the starting lineup.

After the match against the Blades, Pochettino stated that he just liked a different lineup. It makes sense that the Blues manager would want to start Newcastle with a larger midfield.

On Saturday, he declared, “Only eleven can play. It’s a competitive market, and occasionally you only need one quality. Either one profile, or multiple profiles. I have to select a player, and naturally, the lineup with Caicedo, Gallagher, and Cole as a No. 10 seemed like the best option for today. It’s not like Enzo might play on Tuesday while someone else sits out.”

Djordje Petrovic stays in goal, and Pochettino sticks with his starting lineup from the previous weekend. Axel Disasi, Levi Colwill, Thiago Silva, and Benoit Badiashile are the four central defenders who enter the game. Malo Gusto made his injury comeback in the Premier League, but he was only a substitute for a short while.

Mykhailo Mudryk will be the player cut from Chelsea’s roster to make room for Fernandez. Conor Gallagher and Moises Caicedo will be in the middle of the field with the World Cup winner.

Palmer will probably move to the right, and Raheem Sterling will assume Mudryk’s position on the left. The former Manchester City star, who recorded a goal and an assist in the second half against Sheffield United, appeared far more comfortable in this role.

Nicolas Jackson maintains his lead over Armando Broja. Jackson was the left winger for Pochettino’s pairing during the second half of the match on Saturday.

The starting lineup for Chelsea is: Palmer, Sterling, Jackson; Caicedo, Gallagher, Fernandez; Disasi, Silva, Badiashile, Colwill; and Petrovic.

The substitutes are Gusto, Maatsen, Gilchrist, Matos, Nkunku, Broja, Bettinelli, Bergstrom, and Mudryk.