Chelsea news as Mauricio Pochettino has to cut squad to face Brighton after injured players return and academy stars claim.
Chelsea are back in action and hoping to end their three match winless and goalless run as they welcome in-form Brighton to Stamford Bridge for the Carabao Cup third round on Wednesday night. The two teams could hardly be entering the fixture in more contrasting style.
The Seagulls, who have a newfound rivalry with Chelsea having seen a handful of their key personnel move to SW6 in the past 12 months, are coming in off the back of five league wins from six and put a disappointing European debut behind them, beating Bournemouth on Sunday. The Blues, however, lost once more after defeat to
It leaves Mauricio Pochettino in an unwanted and unexpected position this early in the season. So far the new coach has only won twice in charge, at home to relegation favourites Luton and a scratchy second round win in this competition against League Two AFC Wimbledon.
Plagued by injuries and lacking any serious firepower, Pochettino’s men continue to struggle with converting chances. Brighton have only created one more big chance than Chelsea, 16, but have scored 13 more goals this season. It is in the frontline that things are an issue and that may well continue with selection problems arising for Pochettino.
Without Malo Gusto, who will miss this game as part of a three game domestic suspension after his challenge on Lucas Digne on Sunday was overturned by VAR into a red card, there is no orthodox senior right-back in the squad. That could see a total rejig of the defence with Ben Chilwell returning and Levi Colwill into a more natural centre-back role.
In midfield the Blues are still waiting for the returns of Carney Chukwuemeka and Romeo Lavia, though they were buoyed by Moises Caicedo recovering to start against Villa. It is the attack that poses the real question.
With the return to the squad for Armando Broja, making his first appearance in nine months via a brief cameo off the bench, Chelsea now have more players than they need to fill the squad. Youth summer signing Deivid Washington has been filling in as back-up striker and could be involved here, especially after he didn’t play for the Under-21 side in their penalties win over Northampton in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday.
The squad selected by Mark Robinson did give an indication of who may be involved for the first team though. Ronnie Stutter, on the bench against Bournemouth, started and scored in the game whilst Jimmy-Jay Morgan, another that has trained with the senior side, also played.
Kiano Dyer and Leo Castledine, two of the most impressive names from the group, were also involved. There was no space for Alex Matos though, a potential nod towards his place in the matchday squad against Brighton. It is hard to see where he fits in though given the potential returns for Noni Madueke – who hasn’t played since the international break – as well as Marc Cucurella.
For once there is actually too many players to pick even if that is including some academy names. Lucas Bergstrom might find himself out of the squad despite Pochettino’s choices to go with two reserve goalkeepers on the bench. Alfie Gilchrist, who signed a new contract with the club last week, may also be involved.
It is the first time in weeks that Pochettino has been afforded the chance to leave players out but with the pressure mounting and anger building in the fanbase there is little room to experiment here and it could come at the cost of seeing youth players involved.
