Cole Palmer decision made as James dropped - The Chelsea team Enzo Maresca must pick vs Fulham

Make no mistake: Sunday's game against Fulham is huge for . It will be a pivotal fixture in defining whether they are able to secure football for next season.

The sit sixth in the table ahead of the weekend's action, but may well have dropped down to seventh before kick-off with Aston Villa having the prospect to leapfrog the Blues in their Saturday evening game against Newcastle.

The hosts on Sunday are also aiming to secure European football for next season, currently sitting ninth in the table and just six points behind the Blues. They will be giving it their all to ensure they can win the London derby and push ahead in their quest to return to European club competition.

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Ahead of such a crucial clash for the Blues, it was somewhat of a surprise to see a mostly first-choice team from for the second leg of their Conference League clash against Legia Warsaw this week. The Blues were 3-0 up against their opponents after the first clash, but the likes of , and all started the game, with Maresca providing some insight into his selection.

"The idea was just for them, especially for Nico, Nico has been more than two months out, so the idea to play with him is to continue to build a little bit the physical condition for him," Maresca told reporters after the game.

"So the idea was for him 45 minutes, we planned already that, and for Cole, he had a small problem before the international break, so again, for him it was to use him 45 minutes, one hour, and then just to give them a little bit tempo and improve that and be better Sunday on the game.

"First of all the main target for them was to help them to build physical condition, so we decided to use both of them, and for sure if they are able to score, it could be a good boost for them, but for me probably we managed in the wrong way the first result there, but the good thing is again, we have six Premier League games that are very important for us, fortunately we rotate players, and this is for us in this moment very important."

After a disappointing display in midweek, who should be starting for Chelsea at Craven Cottage? football.london writers decide below...

Bobby Vincent

Robert Sanchez replaces Filip Jorgensen. He is the Premier League goalkeeper and Jorgensen didn’t exactly shine on Thursday.

Malo Gusto at right-back because Reece James played the full 90 minutes against Legia Warsaw. Marc Cucurella is Chelsea’s biggest goal scoring threat at the moment and he should be asked to go again at Craven Cottage.

Moises Caicedo to return alongside Enzo Fernandez in midfield after both were rested on Thursday. In front of them, Cole Palmer in the No.10 as he looks to end his 15-game goal drought, as well as Nicolas Jackson, who has not found the back of the net for 12 games.

Noni Madueke on the right wing and Jadon Sancho on the left. An absolute must-win for the Blues.

Bobby's XI: Sanchez; Gusto, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Madueke, Palmer, Sancho; Jackson.

Joe Doyle

In the past I have advocated for Jorgensen to be given a chance - mainly due to errors on Sanchez's part. But I think it's fair to say he hasn't grasped the opportunities which have come his way, so Sanchez is back in goal.

I find it a little fascinating that James is seemingly no longer viewed as a right-back by Maresca. If he can't play two games-per-week that's fine, but I would have been resting him in the Conference League as I prefer him at right-back. So instead, Malo Gusto starts at right-back, with Trevoh Chalobah and Levi Colwill at centre-back and Marc Cucurella at left-back.

In midfield, it's easy enough as Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez come back in to start. Then it gets a little more tricky.

Cole Palmer's recent form would have me seriously considering him on the bench. I think he's been a little lucky that Romeo Lavia has been out injured. If he was at full fitness rather than just coming back, I'd have Lavia starting with Fernandez pushing into the attacking midfield role. As it is, Palmer has another chance to try and end his goal drought.

I'd then back Jadon Sancho on the left and Noni Madueke on the right of attack, with Nicolas Jackson starting up front.

Joe's XI: Sanchez; Gusto, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Madueke, Palmer, Sancho; Jackson.