Estevao Willian will replace Jamie Gittens in the Chelsea starting lineup against West Ham United at the London Stadium on Friday.

Chelsea will aim to kick-start the 2025/26 Premier League campaign by clinching three points when they lock horns with West Ham United at the London Stadium on Friday night. Enzo Maresca has received positive updates on the team news front ahead of his side’s latest fixture.

Tosin Adarabioyo is fit and available after recovering from a minor issue. However, Levi Colwill (knee), Benoit Badiashile (knock), Romeo Lavia (match fitness), and Omari Kellyman (hamstring) remain on the sidelines, with Mykhailo Mudryk still serving a suspension for failing a doping test several months ago.

Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku will not be available for selection, with Maresca omitting them from the travelling squad as they look to sort out their futures. Meanwhile, during his pre-match press conference, the Italian tactician discussed Adarabioyo’s progress and provided a fitness update on other players.

The Chelsea manager said, “Tosin is available for tomorrow. I’m a little bit surprised because last week when he wasn’t available, the day before it was everywhere [in the media] that he wasn’t available! Now I don’t know why you don’t know he is available! But yes, he is available. Romeo is still out [and won’t play in this game]. Benoit is still out. Wes is back, as I said, and that’s all.”

Meanwhile, Maresca discussed the impending loan exit for Aaron Anselmino, saying, “With Aaron, he is training with us, training very hard, and is a fantastic boy. He’s a really good player, but he needs to play games. He is another one who is waiting for a solution [over a loan move].”

Robert Sanchez is an automatic pick between the sticks, and Chelsea will line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of him against West Ham United on Friday night. The backline should feature Reece James, Josh Acheampong, Trevoh Chalobah, and Marc Cucurella, with Adarabioyo being an option on the bench.

As for the midfield unit, there is no looking past Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez in the double pivot. Cole Palmer will reprise the no. 10 role, with Estevao Willian and Pedro Neto being the two wide attackers; the former will replace Jamie Gittens. Finally, Joao Pedro should lead the line for the away side again, with Liam Delap being an option on the bench.

Predicted Chelsea XI: Sanchez; James, Acheampong, Chalobah, Cucurella; Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez; Estevao, Palmer, Neto; Joao Pedro