Chelsea will be boosted by the return of captain Reece James when they travel to the Amex Stadium to face Brighton in the Premier League.
The Blues, who suffered a painful 2-1 FA Cup defeat at the hands of Fabian Hürzeler’s side, will be hoping to avoid a repeat of that result.
James’ return could be crucial, providing defensive solidity. Enzo Maresca confirmed in his pre-match press conference that the right-back was rested in the last game to manage his workload rather than due to a setback.
With Nicolas Jackson sidelined until April, Chelsea could also deploy a false nine, with Maresca hinting at Cole Palmer as an option in that role.
Here is Chelsea’s predicted lineup for the game against Brighton:
Brighton vs Chelsea: Predicted Lineup
Goalkeeper
Filip Jorgensen – Confirmed as Chelsea’s first-choice goalkeeper, Jorgensen is expected to keep his place. Maresca has backed him over Sanchez, emphasizing that the club is not rotating goalkeepers game by game.
Defenders
Reece James – Forms the right side of the back three and will be key in Chelsea’s build-up play, helping evade Brighton’s high press.
Levi Colwill – Despite coming under criticism in recent weeks, Colwill is expected to keep his place. With Benoît Badiashile still out and Wesley Fofana still recovering, there are no senior options to rotate him. He will be eager to put in a solid display against his former loan club.
Tosin Adarabioyo – Set to retain his spot at center-back, Tosin has been one of Chelsea’s more consistent defenders this season. His aerial ability and composure in possession will be crucial against Brighton’s dynamic attack.
Marc Cucurella – Will likely invert into midfield during the build-up to support Caicedo while also pushing up to support Sancho on the left flank.
Midfielders
Moises Caicedo – What more needs to be said? The Ecuadorian is the engine of the team, and against Brighton, he will have to put in another tireless shift in midfield. His ability to break up play and dictate possession will be key.
Enzo Fernández – The Argentine midfielder will look to control the tempo of the game alongside Caicedo. His ability to progress the ball forward and contribute in attack will be vital against Brighton’s aggressive press.
Attackers
Noni Madueke – The England international was benched for the FA Cup game against Brighton but is expected to return to the starting XI. With his directness, dribbling, and ability to beat defenders, he could be a key threat on the right wing.
Christopher Nkunku – With Jackson out injured, Nkunku may have the opportunity to play in his preferred No. 10 role, where he can drift into pockets of space and combine with the attackers. His movement and creativity could be a game-changer, as Maresca has admitted that he is not a natural striker.
Jadon Sancho – The preferred option on the left, Sancho has shown glimpses of his quality since arriving on loan. He will be expected to provide flair and creativity, helping break down Brighton’s defense.
Cole Palmer (False Nine) – Enzo Maresca has hinted at using Palmer as a striker, and this game could be where we see it in action.
Given Nkunku’s struggles as a No. 9, Palmer leading the line could allow Nkunku to thrive as a playmaker. Palmer’s ability to link play, drop deep, and finish chances makes him a viable option in Jackson’s absence.
Chelsea Predicted Starting XI vs Brighton
Formation: 4-2-3-1
GK: Filip Jorgensen
RB: Reece James
CB: Tosin Adarabioyo
CB: Levi Colwill
LB: Marc Cucurella
CM: Moises Caicedo
CM: Enzo Fernández
RW: Noni Madueke
CAM: Christopher Nkunku
LW: Jadon Sancho
ST (False Nine): Cole Palmer
Final Thoughts
With Reece James returning, a false nine experiment likely, and Chelsea looking for redemption, this game could be a turning point in their push for a top-four finish.
Brighton will provide a tough challenge, but Maresca’s tactical tweaks could make all the difference.
