Chelsea are back in Premier League action on Sunday, welcoming Nottingham Forest to Stamford Bridge. Enzo Maresca's side will aim to extend their impressive run, hoping for a sixth consecutive victory across all competitions. A win could see the Blues head into the international break inside the top four, barring an extraordinary result from Aston Villa.
Here are four key things to watch for:
1. All Eyes on Cole Palmer
Chelsea’s 2023-24 Player of the Season, Cole Palmer, delivered a stunning performance last week, becoming only the second player in the club’s Premier League history to score four goals in a match twice, following in the footsteps of Frank Lampard. His display has garnered worldwide attention, and all eyes will be on him again this weekend. Palmer will be part of the England squad for the upcoming international break alongside Levi Colwill and Noni Madueke.
Rested during Chelsea’s midweek European fixture, Palmer has repeatedly shown that pressure doesn’t faze him. This fixture will mark the anniversary of his Chelsea debut last season, and his recent form, including nominations for Player of the Month and Goal of the Month for September, suggests Nottingham Forest will have their hands full.
2. Jadon Sancho Chasing Fabregas’ Record
Jadon Sancho has quickly made his presence felt since arriving at Chelsea, recording three assists in as many appearances. On Sunday, he’ll be looking to match Cesc Fabregas’ 2014-15 record of four assists in his first four games. Sancho’s creativity has been vital for the Blues, and equalling such a milestone would only cement his growing importance to the squad.
3. Defensive Stability
After keeping three consecutive clean sheets, Chelsea have conceded twice in each of their last two matches. The two goals given up against Brighton in the Premier League last week resulted from poor decisions of goalkeeper Robert Sanchez. While the two against Gent came from defensive lapses.
Enzo Maresca will be keen to see his side tighten at the back, knowing that any mistakes could prove costly. Sanchez is expected to keep his place, but Nottingham Forest's win at Anfield showed how tough they are to break down once they get a lead. Maresca must ensure both Sanchez and his defenders are prepared to deliver a disciplined, error-free performance.
4. A Tough Opponent in Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest boasts a strong away record this season, having earned seven of their nine points on the road, with their standout result being a win at Anfield, where current league leaders Liverpool dropped their only points.
In the corresponding fixture last season, Forest emerged victorious at Stamford Bridge, with Chelsea struggling to convert their chances—only two of their 21 shots were on target. Although both sides have changed managers since then, many of the same players are likely to feature on Sunday. Under Enzo Maresca, however, Chelsea have developed into a free-scoring team, with multiple players contributing to their attacking threat. The Italian will be keen to see his side continue their winning streak.