Xabi Alonso will have big Chelsea team decisions to make ahead of a busy week that starts with a London derby against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.
With a week to prepare for the derby and 10 players from his last starting XI available, it would make sense for Alonso to stick with the winning formula against Tottenham.
However, Wednesday’s Carabao Cup fourth-round trip to Liverpool may give the Chelsea manager some incentive to tinker with his line-up.
Liverpool themselves are preparing for a big match against third-placed Brighton, so Andoni Iraola will have just as tough calls to make.
The question is how Alonso can manage his key players while staying competitive on both fronts. A different Chelsea line-up? Go all out and hope these players can put the game to bed early against Spurs so the key players can be subbed out in the second half?
The latter is likely the sensible choice since a top-five finish, which would secure Champions League qualification, should be Chelsea’s primary objective this season. Alonso should also be confident in his squad depth after a relatively successful summer window.
Mike Penders will almost certainly start in goal, replacing the injured Emiliano Martinez, who recently underwent jaw surgery following a collision in last weekend’s win over Everton.
Alonso already expressed his confidence in the young goalkeeper ahead of his first Premier League start against fierce London rivals.
The back three of Levi Colwill, Maxence Lacroix, and Josh Acheampong are also expected to keep their spots in the starting XI.
Pedro Neto, who played a starring role against Everton with a brace of goals, will likely continue to play the hybrid wing-back/winger role on the right flank. While on the left, Pep Chavarria’s expected injury absence virtually confirms Jorrel Hato’s starting role.
Midfield is where Alonso may consider some rotation. Moises Caicedo, who struggled with calf issues earlier this season, and 36-year-old Jordan Henderson are unlikely to be able to play three games a week.
Romeo Lavia had a strong international break with Belgium and must be hungry for more opportunities to prove himself after overcoming years of injury struggles.
That said, Henderson is arguably the safer bet for Saturday given his form, and Lavia will likely get his chance against Liverpool instead alongside Valentin Barco.
The front three are of course expected to remain unchanged.
As important as it is to reserve the front three’s energy for the upcoming games against Liverpool and Manchester United, Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers, and Joao Pedro are on such an outstanding run that hurting their momentum is arguably a worse scenario than some tired legs.