"Are you having a laugh", "Was not expecting this" - Chelsea fans surprised by star playing out of position in clash against Barcelona

Chelsea fans online are questioning manager Enzo Maresca for starting Pedro Neto as a False 9 against Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League. Many believe that the manager's decision to play the Portuguese star ahead of Liam Delap and Joao Pedro will be an issue.

Robert Sanchez keeps his place in goal after keeping four clean sheets in his last five Premier League matches. Malo Gusto starts at right-back, with Marc Cucurella on the opposite flank and Wesley Fofana and Trevoh Chalobah playing in the middle.

Reece James is pushed into the midfield once again, and he partners with Moises Caicedo in the pivot. Enzo Fernandez starts in the attacking midfield role, while Estevao Willian and Alejandro Garnacho are the wingers today.

While the fans are delighted to see the manager trusting his big names for the key game, many are questioning the decision to start Pedro Neto up front. Some fans posted:

BIGFUNNY

@BIGFUNN03556129

Neto striker are u having a laugh

Coast dweller🐐

@DwellerCoast

Neto false 9 was not expecting this

Ragav Kumaravel

@KumaravelRagav

Didn't expect Neto will be the Complete Forward role...

Enzo Maresca hinted that Estevao Willian was bound to start today, and said in his pre-match press conference (via Football London):

"Estevao can be, he is going to be for sure an important player for this club for the future no doubt, now again for me personally the most important thing for Estevao is that he has to enjoy football, he has to be happy, he has not to think about being better than this player or the other player, he has just to be better than himself day by day, try to work hard, improve. Again for sure, he is going to be a top player for this club."

The manager has opted to bench Liam Delap and Joao Pedro, who have played as the strikers this season.

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca on Barcelona

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca heaped praise on Hansi Flick and Barcelona ahead of their UEFA Champions League clash. He hailed them as a spectacular team and said:

"I think they're spectacular, it's a team that whenever I look at it there are things that can be learned, things that can be looked at, how they attack, how they defend, which in the end has given them the chance to win La Liga last year, to get to the Champions League semi-final. They do a lot of things very well and it's a team that always wants initiative, always wants value and we try to do the same on our side."

Chelsea last faced Barcelona at Stamford Bridge in 2018, and drew 1-1.