Sports Mole takes an in-depth look at how Chelsea could line up for Wednesday’s Premier League clash with Brighton & Hove Albion.
Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino is finally blessed with several options for change ahead of Wednesday’s Premier League battle with Brighton & Hove Albion at the Amex Stadium.
The Blues achieved their third straight top-flight win by beating Nottingham Forest 3-2 on Saturday, in a game where captain Reece James made his long-awaited comeback and set up Nicolas Jackson‘s clincher in the 82nd minute.
Lesley Ugochukwu was also an unused substitute after his own hamstring problem, leaving Ben Chilwell (knee), Robert Sanchez (illness), Carney Chukwuemeka (knee), Romeo Lavia (thigh), Wesley Fofana (knee) and Enzo Fernandez (hernia) in the medical bay.
Despite his successful return to senior action, James was only brought on in the 79th minute at the City Ground, and given his history of injuries, Pochettino might hold him back from the starting XI for now, especially with Euro 2024 on the horizon.
Malo Gusto‘s presence means that there is still scope for a change at right-back, though, while Axel Disasi could also demote Thiago Silva to ensure that the Brazilian can enjoy an on-field farewell at Stamford Bridge on the final day.
Marc Cucurella and Benoit Badiashile should both reprise their roles in front of Djordje Petrovic, though, and the same goes for the effective pairing of Conor Gallagher and Moises Caicedo in the middle.
By setting up Mykhaylo Mudryk‘s opening goal at the City Ground, Cole Palmer became just the fourth Premier League player to register 20+ goals and 10+ assists in his debut season with a specific team, following in Andy Cole, Jurgen Klinsmann and Mohamed Salah‘s footsteps.
Palmer, Mudryk and Nicolas Jackson are shoo-ins in the final third, but Noni Madueke – ineffective on Saturday – may lose his spot to Raheem Sterling thanks to the latter’s fine finish versus Forest.
Chelsea possible starting lineup:
Petrovic; Gusto, Disasi, Badiashile, Cucurella; Caicedo, Gallagher; Sterling, Palmer, Mudryk; Jackson
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