Chelsea lineup vs. West Ham: Predicted XI for Premier League London derby as Maresca makes Sanchez call

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca faces a critical decision in between the posts for Monday's Premier League London derby with West Ham United at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues fell to a 3-1 loss to reigning champions Manchester City last weekend, thanks in no small part to another Robert Sanchez mistake for Erling Haaland's Etihad effort.

Sanchez has now made a joint-high five errors leading to a goal in the 2024-25 Premier League; only Ipswich Town's Arijanet Muric - who has been dropped from the Tractor Boys' XI - has committed as many.

Maresca has talked up the qualities of potential deputy Filip Jorgensen, but he also stressed on Friday that he retains total faith in Sanchez and should therefore not be expected to wield the axe just yet.

The Spaniard should be protected by an identical back four of Reece James, Trevoh Chalobah, Levi Colwill and Marc Cucurella, while Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez reprise their regular partnership in midfield.

While Maresca might hold off making a change in goal, Pedro Neto is a contender to displace Jadon Sancho on the left flank, but Cole Palmer and Noni Madueke - scorer of the opener last weekend - are set to hold their places.

Nicolas Jackson spearheads the charge aiming to replicate his brace from September's 3-0 beating of West Ham; the Senegal international has notched a terrific 11 goals in 14 London derbies since the start of last season, more than any other Premier League player.

Mykhaylo Mudryk (suspended), Omari Kellyman (hamstring), Romeo Lavia (thigh), Wesley Fofana (hamstring) or Benoit Badiashile (thigh) are all missing for the hosts again.

Chelsea possible starting lineup: Sanchez; James, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Madueke, Palmer, Neto; Jackson

> Click here to see how West Ham could line up for this game