Chelsea team news: Predicted XI against Man City as Nkunku, Jackson and Sterling made choices

Enzo Maresca begins his managerial reign in the most difficult possible circumstances on Sunday afternoon when his Chelsea side welcome reigning Premier League champions Manchester City to Stamford Bridge.

Maresca is highly regarded after his successful promotion campaign with Leicester City, but this weekend the Italian will take charge in his first Premier League game. And with the Blues splashing the cash on new players this summer, Maresca faces some tricky selection choices.

Here, Express Sport tells you how his team is likely to line up against City…

Chelsea's predicted starting XI (4-2-3-1)

Goalkeeper: Sanchez

Djordje Petrovic finished last season as first choice, and Filip Jorgensen was signed from Villarreal in the summer, but early indications are that Robert Sanchez will start the campaign as Maresca's No.1. The Spaniard has started five of Chelsea's six pre-season games, with Jorgensen starting the other.

Defender: Gusto, Adarabioyo, Colwill, Cucurella

Malo Gusto is likely to make another appearance in the starting XI due to the absence of captain Reece James through injury and suspension, while Marc Cucurella is the leading candidate to line up on the left after a stellar Euro 2024 with Spain.

Levi Colwill narrowly edges out Benoit Badiashile at left-back, with several players in contention to replace him. Axel Disasi is still recovering from a hernia operation and it would be a big ask to bring Wesley Fofana into the deep end after such a long absence, while Tosin Adarabioyo could make his debut after signing from Fulham.

Gusto is expected to step into midfield when Chelsea have possession, changing the formation from a 4-2-3-1 to a 3-2-4-1.

Defensive midfielder: Fernandez, Caicedo

Chelsea have a wealth of talent in that area, but the same £222m duo who anchored the midfield for much of Mauricio Pochettino's reign are likely to start against City on Sunday. Enzo Fernandez has made amends with his team-mates after a difficult summer, while Moises Caicedo is likely to start ahead of Romeo Lavia, who looked a distant second in last weekend's friendly against Inter Milan.

Attacking Midfielder: Madueke, Palmer, Sterling

Maresca is spoilt for choice in attack, so much so that several big names will be forced to withdraw. Noni Madueke deserves to be rewarded for his superb pre-season by occupying his preferred position on the right flank, ahead of new signing Pedro Neto, who could settle in smoothly at Stamford Bridge.

Cole Palmer, who has just signed a new contract, will be the most influential in the number 10 role. And despite speculation over his future, Raheem Sterling is Chelsea's best option on the left flank ahead of Mykhaylo Mudryk, and he is expected to start against his former club.

Forward: Nkunku

With Armando Broja and Romelu Lukaku set to leave the club before the summer deadline, Maresca is left with just Nicolas Jackson, Marc Guiu and Christopher Nkunku as his main options in midfield.

Jackson was Chelsea's top scorer in the Premier League after Palmer last season, and Guiu, 18, looked a dynamic player in pre-season. But Christopher Nkunku is more dangerous than either of those, and the Frenchman deserves his chance after spending much of his first season out injured.