Chelsea will continue trying to salvage their Premier League season in Saturday’s home fixture against Burnley, who are desperately fighting to get out of the bottom three.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side start the weekend in the bottom half of the Premier League and, with the current state of the table, seventh place – currently occupied by West Ham – may be the best they can hope for during the run-in.
The former Tottenham boss’ task has not been helped by a host of injuries, with barely-seen midfielder Romeo Lavia now set to miss the rest of the season. The midfielder joins a long list of names on the sidelines, but the coach still has plenty of selection decisions to make ahead of Saturday.
Here’s the potential Chelsea lineup to take on Burnley.
GK: Djordje Petrovic – This match will be a good indicator of which Chelsea number one has Pochettino’s backing. Robert Sanchez started in the FA Cup against Leicester but if Petrovic returns as expected against Burnley, it would suggest he’s done enough to displace Sanchez.
RB: Malo Gusto – There are some minor concerns over Gusto’s fitness after he pulled out of the France Under-21s squad with illness, but he’s expected to recover in time to face Burnley this weekend.
CB: Axel Disasi – The Frenchman has become a regular starter with the likes of Levi Colwill and Benoit Badiashile out injured, but it has not been enough to get him into the France setup so far given the competition for places at centre-back.
CB: Thiago Silva – The Brazilian was only on the bench against Leicester and was introduced late on but should start here to bring some much-needed experience to a very young team.
LB: Ben Chilwell – Suffered a knee injury on international duty but should be fit enough to play. The left-back places for both Chelsea and England are up for grabs right now and Chilwell must grasp the opportunity while he is fit.
CM: Moises Caicedo – The Ecuadorian is reaching a good level of consistency for Chelsea now which suggests he can be an important part of their midfield for many years, but plenty could change given the chaos at Stamford Bridge in recent times.
CM: Enzo Fernandez – The Argentine will link up late with the squad due to international duty which is undoubtedly worrying, but Fernandez will partner Caicedo if fit enough.
RW: Cole Palmer – Transfermarkt claim Cole Palmer’s market value has increased by a remarkable £35m this season. A minor injury prevented the former Manchester City youngster from getting any minutes against Brazil or Belgium, but he will get more chances in an England shirt.
AM: Conor Gallagher – Gary Cahill recently described Gallagher as “one of the best players at the moment” and it’s hard to argue with him. Contract and transfer speculation rumbles on despite his clear importance to Chelsea and Pochettino.
LW: Mykhailo Mudryk – One of the big winners from the international break as he scored the goal that took Ukraine to Euro 2024, Mudryk should replace Raheem Sterling who was poor against Leicester last time out.
ST: Nicolas Jackson – The Senegalese forward has gradually gotten better throughout the season and should end with a very healthy goal tally. Having been ridiculed at the start of the campaign, Jackson could finish with some strong numbers.
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