Paul Merson says Enzo Maresca ‘must start’ Pedro Neto for Chelsea’s visit to Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday and is ‘almost certain’ Estevao Willian will occupy the other wing.
Chelsea will be looking to bounce back against their London rivals following a shocking 2-1 home loss to Sunderland last weekend, which saw the Blues suffer defeat for the third time in their last five Premier League games.
While the Stamford Bridge side secured a 4-3 win over Wolves in the Carabao Cup midweek, it came at a cost – they lost striker Liam Delap to a one-game suspension after the forward was sent off for two yellow cards in the second half.
Chelsea had four different scorers aged 21 or under in their seven-goal cup thriller, and Merson expects at least one to retain his starting spot when the Blues visit Spurs on Saturday afternoon.
Merson: Chelsea Must Start Neto and Estevao
Merson, writing for Sportskeeda, predicted Maresca will select his two wingers on Saturday based on who can track back and do the defensive work against Tottenham’s attacking full-backs:
“Chelsea must start with Pedro Neto in this game. It's a big pitch at Tottenham and he's quick as anything. I'm almost certain Estevao will also start the game.
“Both wingers must track back though. Spurs have full-backs who love to go forward, so if the Chelsea wingers do not help out in defence, their team will get overrun.
“I expect Enzo Maresca to make his team selection based on who he trusts more to do the defensive work down the flanks, otherwise Chelsea are in trouble.”
Neto, along with Joao Pedro and Enzo Fernandez, have been Chelsea’s three main sources of creativity this Premier League season, with the Portuguese international registering two goals and two assists in nine appearances.
Neto, who earns £200,000 per week, is one of only three Chelsea players to have started every top-flight game this campaign, along with Fernandez and Robert Sanchez, and has registered three goal involvements in his last two outings.
Estevao, who pockets £75,000 a week, has only started for the Blues on four occasions this campaign, scoring once, with his last league appearance in the first XI coming in their 3-1 loss to Brighton last month.
Maresca opted for the duo of Neto and Jamie Gittens on the flanks in the last three Premier League games, with the England international yet to register a goal contribution.