Chelsea could have formidable XI as '£60m Tottenham transfer hijack eyed'

If you think Enzo Maresca has selection dilemmas on his hands ahead of Chelsea's Club World Cup quarter-final against Palmeiras this weekend, then just wait until August. The club might be out in the US, but that hasn't stopped their frenzied transfer activity with Joao Pedro signing in a £60million deal from Brighton this week.

He's the fifth addition to the Blues this summer, with Liam Delap another major arrival having signed in time to play in the tournament. Maresca and co aren't done there, amid reports the club are preparing to hijack Tottenham's ambitions to sign West Ham star Mohammed Kudus for a £60m fee. The Ghanaian would add even more quality ahead of a campaign where Chelsea will return to the Champions League, but fitting him into the starting XI won't be straightforward.

Express Sports looks at the XI Chelsea could field come the visit of Crystal Palace on August 17...

Possible Chelsea XI (4-2-3-1): Keeper: Maignan

Chelsea have already had a bid for the AC Milan keeper turned down last month, but don't expect them to give up that easily. While Maresca has publicly backed current No.1 Robert Sanchez, deep down, he'll know he can ill afford another error-strewn campaign from the Spaniard.

The French international will surely land at Stamford Bridge ahead of the new season. And when he does, Sanchez had best wait for the Carabao Cup to come around.

Defence: James, Colwill, Fofana, Cucurella

While Maresca's first-choice keeper is dependent on a transfer, his starting back four will be reliant on key men staying fit. After injury-plagued campaigns, Reece James and Wesley Fofana being available between August and May will essentially feel like two new signings.

Levi Colwill's breakthrough year will have established him as an automatic choice at the heart of the defence with Fofana. Marc Cucurella, for all his questionable exuberance, is also a shoo-in at left back.

Midfielders: Caicedo, Lavia

For much of last season, Moises Caicedo justified his huge transfer fee as the club's outstanding performer. Romeo Lavia showed flashes of justifying his, but he couldn't just stay fit long enough to prove consistency.

If the 21-year-old is fit and firing, a partnership with Caicedo will provide Chelsea's attacking players the perfect platform. It would also free up Enzo Fernandez to play his favoured advanced role.

Forwards: Palmer, Fernandez, Kudus

Indeed, the prospect of Fernandez linking with Cole Palmer is enticing, and this is also where Mohammed Kudus comes in. Equally adept in a central role or wide on the right, Kudus could be the missing factor in a trio that will consume defences both domestically and abroad.

It's also an area where Maresca boasts ample depth. Joao Pedro, Noni Madueke, and Pedro Neto are all likely to push hard and for those , there will be little room for loss of form.

Striker: Liam Delap

If Delap was able to score goals in a struggling Ipswich side last season, imagine what he'll do with this level of creativity around him. Should Nicolas Jackson stay, his superior pace will see him regularly utilised in an impact role, but it's the Englishman who is favourite to regularly lead the line.

Possible Chelsea XI: Maignan, James, Colwill, Fofana, Cucurella; Caicedo, Lavia; Palmer, Fernandez, Kudus; Delap.