This system would still necessitate Nkunku playing up front, but would at least make the No10 area less crowded, and onus would fall on one of the wingers - perhaps Pedro Neto - to play in the inside-left channel and stretch defences with runs in behind.
Needless to say that moving Palmer out of his best position at No10 - from where he has 14 league goals and six assists this season - would be a significant gamble and require Chelsea to reshape their usual patterns of play.
Chelsea XI: Jorgensen; James, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Neto, Palmer, Sancho; Nkunku.
Chelsea XI: Jorgensen; James, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Neto, Nkunku, Sancho; Palmer.
Instead, Nkunku could swap into that deeper role, where he is more comfortable, or else Maresca could bring Kiernan Dewsbury-Halll in to play in advance of Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo.
