As Chelsea prepare to walk out at Anfield today, fans are scratching their heads over a glaring squad issue: there are zero recognized wingers available. Interim head coach Calum McFarlane will need to get creative, but the WAGNH Community has already weighed in with their preferred lineup for this crucial Premier League clash.
The Blues are forced to improvise in the wide attacking positions, with Cole Palmer likely slotting in on the right and Enzo Fernández on the left. Liam Delap (despite a shaky outing on the wing) and Malo Gusto (who inverted frequently under Enzo Maresca) are also options, alongside potential Academy call-ups. But the fans have spoken—and they want Andrey Santos to step up in attack.
Santos is locked in a tight battle with Roméo Lavia and Jorrel Hato for the final two starting spots. While Hato narrowly edged out Lavia in the voting (45-43), fitting him into a back-four lineup is proving tricky. A switch to a back-three was floated but only garnered 24% support, leaving the 4-2-3-1 formation as the clear favorite at 51%.
The fan-voted starting XI reads like a mix of proven talent and hopeful gambles: Jörgensen (82%) in goal, backed by a defensive line of Cucurella (78%), Colwill (58%), Chalobah (73%), and James (65%). In midfield, Lavia (43%) partners Caicedo (95%), while the attacking trio features Enzo (92%), Santos (50%), and Palmer (94%), with João Pedro (98%) leading the line.
Notable names just missing the cut include Josh Acheampong (38%), Liam Delap (35%), and Malo Gusto (34%). Further down the list, Wesley Fofana (23%), Ryan Kavuma-McQueen (21%), Marc Guiu (18%), and Mamadou Sarr (14%) round out the also-rans.
With no natural wingers to call upon, Chelsea’s lineup against Liverpool is a testament to the squad’s versatility—and the fans' faith in McFarlane’s tactical nous. Will this creative approach pay off at Anfield? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the Blues are ready to fight with what they’ve got.