Chelsea Predicted Line-Up and Maresca's Press Conference ahead of Brentford

As the September international break fades into memory, Chelsea FC gear up for a mouth-watering West London Derby at the Gtech Community Stadium tomorrow night. Enzo Maresca's Blues face a Brentford side desperate for points, with kick-off set for 8pm BST on Saturday, September 13.

Coming off a blistering start to the 2025/26 Premier League campaign—highlighted by a 5-1 demolition of West Ham and a composed 2-0 victory over Fulham, Chelsea sit comfortably in the top four, unbeaten in their opening fixtures.

In contrast, Keith Andrews' Bees languish in 15th place with just three points from three games (one win, two losses), including a recent 2-1 defeat at Sunderland that exposed defensive frailties.

Maresca held his pre-match press conference today at Cobham, shedding light on team news that could influence the lineup. We have picked our Chelsea line-up, using the CFC-Blues 'Pick-Your-Team' feature.

My team to play Brentford. Thoughts? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/MvgPWf5MaP

— CFC-Blues (@CFCBlues_com) September 12, 2025

Team News from Maresca’s Press Conference

Maresca provided critical updates today. On Cole Palmer, he noted,

"Cole [Palmer] took part in the session yesterday for the first time, not the entire session. We have one more session this afternoon and we are going to try with him to see if he’s okay, otherwise he will be out tomorrow."

He added, "He is recovering from an injury, it’s not managing him, it’s recovering from an injury. When he is available, we need to manage him because of the amount of games," suggesting Palmer’s absence could cement Estêvão’s role.

On Liam Delap, Maresca confirmed, "It’s around 10 to 12 weeks," ruling him out until late November or early December, leaving João Pedro as the focal point.

Maresca confirmed that the Brazilian trio as well as Moises Caicedo didn't train yesterday, saying: "They arrived yesterday, they didn't train. They did some recovery. Moi arrived last night. For all of them it is a question mark for tomorrow. When they play in Bolivia, it's so difficult that they can be back very soon."

Goalkeeper: Robert Sánchez (Spain)

The 27-year-old Spaniard anchors the net, having kept clean sheets in Chelsea's last two league outings. Sánchez's distribution suits Maresca's build-from-the-back approach, and with Brentford's attack relying on quick transitions, his shot-stopping will be vital. Maresca’s press conference made no mention of goalkeeper concerns, suggesting Sánchez is set to start.

Defense: A Rock-Solid Back Four

• Left-Back: Marc Cucurella (Spain) – The tenacious Catalan has been reborn under Maresca, bombing forward with renewed vigour. His duels with Brentford's right-winger will be key to containing crosses. No injury concerns were raised today.
• Centre-Backs: Tosin Adarabioyo (England) and Trevoh Chalobah (England) – This CB pairing brings aerial dominance and ball-playing poise. Tosin's recent form adds confidence, while Chalobah’s recovery from minor knocks was not flagged as an issue.
• Right-Back: Malo Gusto (France) – The 22-year-old Frenchman's pace and crossing could terrorize Brentford's left flank. Gusto’s overlapping runs will stretch the Bees' defense, and after Reece James just played two games for England, it would be wise to rest him.

This defensive unit has conceded just once in the league, a testament to Maresca's tactics, with no changes indicated from today’s presser.

Midfield: The Enzo-Moisés Engine Room

Central Midfielders: Enzo Fernández (Argentina) and Moisés Caicedo (Ecuador) – The double pivot is the heartbeat of this Chelsea side. Fernández's visionary passing pairs with Caicedo’s relentless tackling.

However, Maresca’s press conference today highlighted travel fatigue: "They arrived yesterday, they didn’t train. They did some recovery. Moi arrived last night. For all of them it is a question mark for tomorrow. When they play in Bolivia, it’s so difficult that they can be back very soon."

This uncertainty suggests both might start if they recover from this afternoon’s session, though late substitutes are possible. With Essugo injured, Maresca would have to put his faith into Andrey Santos and Romeo Lavia (if he is even fit).

Attack: Youthful Flair and Lethal Edges

Chelsea's front four blend summer signings with proven talent, though injury and travel concerns loom:

• Left Wing: Jamie Gittens (England) – The £55m Dortmund signing’s electric dribbling could dismantle Brentford's right-back and is a good chance to showcase his talent.
• Central Attacking Mid: Estêvão (Brazil) – The 18-year-old Palmeiras prodigy is predicted to step in for Cole Palmer. Maresca said, "They arrived yesterday, they didn’t train. They did some recovery," indicating Estêvão’s availability is in doubt, though his goal and assist this season make him a likely starter if fit.
• Right Wing: Pedro Neto (Portugal) – Neto’s pace and constant energy make him a threat. No specific concerns were raised, suggesting he’s set to feature.
• Striker: João Pedro (Brazil) – The £55m Brighton import leads the line, with two league goals and two assists already. Like Estêvão, his late return from international duty ("They arrived yesterday, they didn’t train") makes him a question mark, but he’s expected to start if cleared.

Tactical Outlook: Balance and Boldness

Maresca’s 4-2-3-1 allows fluidity, with Fernández and Caicedo providing the base if fit, freeing the attacking trio to exploit gaps. Against Brentford’s leaky 4-3-3, Chelsea’s height and width should dominate, though the South American contingent’s condition adds uncertainty. Pundits predict a 2-0 or 3-1 Chelsea win, but Brentford’s home crowd could test the Blues’ resolve.

Tune in tomorrow for what promises to be a thrilling encounter. COYB!