Marc Guiu starts for Chelsea for the first time in the Premier League for the visit of Sunderland.
Young striker Guiu scored his first Champions League goal against Ajax and keeps his place up front.
The teenager spent the first 26 days of this season on loan with Sunderland but was recalled early by Chelsea on August 31 due to a shortage of strikers following Liam Delap’s injury and the exits of Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson. He faces his former team at Stamford Bridge.
Joao Pedro returns to the lineup against Sunderland after serving a Champions League suspension against Ajax, and will likely play in the No10 role.
Maresca rests Lavia against Sunderland by starting the fit-again Enzo Fernandez next to Moises Caicedo in midfield. Malo Gusto was shown a second yellow card late on at Forest so must serve a one-match suspension.
Confirmed team news
Chelsea XI: Sanchez; James; Acheampong, Chalobah, Cucurella; Fernandez, Caicedo; Neto, Joao Pedro, Garnacho, Guiu
Subs: Jorgensen, Tosin, Fofana, Hato, Lavia, Andrey Santos, Estevao, Gittens, George
Sunderland XI: Roefs, Hume, Mukiele, Ballard, Reinaldo, Geertruida, Xhaka, Sadiki, Le Fee, Traore, Isidor
Subs: Patterson, Neil, O'Nien, Talbi, Rigg, Brobbey, Mayeda, Jones, Masuaku
Injured: Palmer, Colwill, Badiashile, Delap, Essugo
Suspended: Gusto
Unavailable: Mudryk
Time and date: 3pm BST today, Saturday October 25, 2025
Venue: Stamford Bridge, London
