Pat Nevin has identified Chelsea’s main areas of weakness ahead of their trip to Nottingham Forest on the final day of the Premier League season.
Champions League qualification is on the line for both teams on Sunday at the City Ground as the Blues continue their fight to secure a top-five finish.
Nevin believes his former club Chelsea will get the job done against Nuno Espirito Santo’s men but has also raised concerns over the Blues’ defence.
In an exclusive interview with Metro, Nevin has highlighted the threat of Chris Wood and Anthony Elanga against Chelsea’s two centre-backs.
‘You have to look at the centre of Chelsea’s defence,’ Nevin said via NewBettingOffers.co.uk. ‘It’s been different, it’s changed throughout the season.
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‘It always has to be Levi Colwill – but it’s who goes beside him. Trevoh Chalobah has been good, Tosin Adarabioyo has come in, various people have done it – and it’s got a bit more stable recently – but this is a test.
‘Especially against Anthony Elanga and Chris Wood, they are good players who are hard to deal with.
‘Colwill is a litter older now (22) but he will need all the experience in the world to keep Wood quiet. Wood has had a brilliant season.
‘His movement is superb and he’s so intelligent. If Chelsea can keep Wood from scoring, I think Chelsea will win.
‘They have more quality in the rest of the field, they are slightly better. But it’s so slight – it’s wafer thin between the two clubs.’
Nevin also feels Chelsea miss the ‘old Cole Palmer’ and suggested the suspension of the Blues’ No.1 striker Nicolas Jackson may be a factor too.
‘Chelsea have been up and down this season,’ Nevin added. ‘Cole Palmer has been playing – but they miss the old Cole Palmer. That’s a worry for Chelsea.
‘There’s no Nicolas Jackson, Chelsea will probably have the kid (Tyrique George) up front again… It really does make it different.’
Nevin does, however, ultimately feel that Chelsea will get the three points they need to book their spot in the 2025-26 Champions League.
‘I think Chelsea will dominate large parts of the possession even though it’s away from home,’ Nevin continued.
‘I’ve said all season I think Chelsea will get Champions League football. It might have to be fifth! It’s fabulously close and anything can happen.’
The west Londoners have been in fine form towards the end of the 2024-25 campaign, losing just one of their last eight Premier League games.
Enzo Maresca’s side could finish the season with a trophy too ahead of their Conference League final with La Liga club Real Betis on Wednesday.