2 weeks Ago By Dom Smith
Cole Palmer is fit to start for Chelsea against Ipswich as he bids to end his 13-game goal drought. Palmer was taken off at half-time in Thursday’s 3-0 Conference League win against Legia Warsaw but the substitution was pre-planned and nothing to do with any injury. Enzo Maresca will restore goalkeeper Robert Sanchez and could also start Nicolas Jackson.
Maresca has said Sanchez remains the Chelsea No1 and he is expected to return to the team in place of Filip Jorgensen. Jackson recently returned from a hamstring injury but did not start in either Chelsea’s 0-0 draw at Brentford last Sunday or the win in Warsaw. He could return to the team against Ipswich in place of Christopher Nkunku, who failed to score in both games and missed a second-half penalty against Legia.
In midfield, Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo should both come back into the side. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is set to drop to the bench following starts in the last two matches. Levi Colwill came on at half-time against Legia and could return at centre-back, likely in place of Benoit Badiashile.
Noni Madueke scored twice in Poland after coming off the bench and should also start. Marc Guiu remains injured but Maresca says he will “hopefully” play again this season, while the game is likely to come too early for Romeo Lavia. “Hopefully, we can get Romeo very soon,” said Maresca.
“I don't know if for the next game [against Ipswich], but he looks quite good in terms of he can be back soon.” Wesley Fofana has been ruled out for the rest of the season with his own hamstring injury along with youngster Omari Kellyman, while Mykhailo Mudryk remains unavailable. Predicted Chelsea XI (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; Gusto, Tosin, Colwill, Cucurella; Fernandez, Caicedo; Madueke, Palmer, Neto; Jackson Injured: Fofana, Kellyman Doubts: Lavia, Guiu Unavailable: Mudryk Time and date: 2pm BST on Sunday April 13, 2025 Venue: Stamford Bridge.
