Chelsea v Nottingham Forest LIVE: Team news and line-ups as in-form Cole Palmer resumes goal hunt | OneFootball

Cole Palmer warms up before kick-off at Stamford Bridge (Bradley Collyer/PA Wire)

Chelsea take on Nottingham Forest today as the Blues look to continue their impressive start to the season under Enzo Maresca in the Premier League.

Cole Palmer’s four-goal haul inspired a dominant victory over Brighton last time out, and they return to the scene of that performance at Stamford Bridge knowing that another win would keep them fourth in the table and in close contact with Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal above them.

But they face a side in Forest who have started the season well too, despite last week’s stumble at Fulham. Nuno Espirito Santo’s team have the second-best defensive record in the league with only five conceded so far, and already have a big scalp on in their results after beating Liverpool. Another victory here would propel Forest into the top six.

Nuno Espirito Santo: ‘Gibbs-White can produce something special'

“The big issue in football, finding the balance between work in both boxes. We are producing a lot of situations and we should be more clinical. I believe we will improve. We need to stick with our plan and stay compact.

“Very important to have [Morgan Gibbs-White] back, he is a special player for us. The team relies on him to produce things. I’m happy for him to be called up by England again.”

Lawrence Ostlere6 October 2024 13:55

James Ward-Prowse: ‘I’ve had some joy here so hopefully I can keep that up’

“Every game in the Premier League is tough. We’re well aware of their qualities and the form that they’re in but we’ve been good on the road so far and hopefully we can keep that up today.

“It’s always been a good place to play. It’s a famous stadium and a big club to play against. I’ve had some joy here before so hopefully I can keep that up in a Forest shirt.

“When you come to a big team like this, you know you’re going to need to have things go your way. It’s about using our strengths and limiting theirs.”

Forest players warm up at Stamford Bridge before kick-off (Reuters)

Lawrence Ostlere6 October 2024 13:46

Cole Palmer: ‘Forest are a different challenge'

“Forest are a completely different team [compared to Brighton],” Palmer tells PLTV. “These like to sit back so we will have to try and break them down. They’re a good team, they’ve only lost one game so it will be hard. They’ve got quality up front and they’re well organised.

“I’ve watched the goals this week a few times, but it’s at the back of my mind now. It’s all about Forest. We’ve got confidence and we just have to try to keep winning.”

Lawrence Ostlere6 October 2024 13:35

Maresca: Chelsea can flourish now transfer noise has quietened down

The manager said the team’s identity was clear after winning five consecutive games in all competitions with different starting lineups.

“For the first two months, there was a lot of noise around the club. Hopefully, we can continue with the way we are now,” Maresca said.

“I was not here last year. The only thing I can say is since we started, I like to be focused and in control. The only part I can control is the football side.

“All the noises around the club are something I cannot control, I don’t care about it. I’m already thinking about how we can prepare for the game.”

Chelsea not ready to compete for title, says Maresca

Chelsea are improving but the London side are not yet ready to compete with top Premier League clubs like Manchester City and Arsenal, manager Enzo Maresca said on Friday.

Chelsea, who finished sixth last season to miss out on the Champions League and 12th in 2022-23, are fourth in the table with 13 points from six games.

Maresca replaced Mauricio Pochettino in June and was tasked with returning Chelsea to the Champions League which they last won in 2021.

“I don’t think we can compete with City and Arsenal. City have worked with the same manager for (nearly) nine years, Arsenal for five years,” Maresca said ahead of Sunday’s game against Nottingham Forest.

“If you want to compete, you need that time. It’s a huge difference. I am convinced we cannot compete. The target is to improve and to get close slowly. We are not at this moment ready for that.

“You can continue to improve but at the end, the more time you are together, the better it is.”

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca shouts instructions to his players (Bradley Collyer/PA) (PA Wire)

Lawrence Ostlere6 October 2024 13:15