Ben Chilwell is in contention to feature against Fulham, but he will not be fit enough to start for Chelsea on Saturday.
Chelsea will aim to return to winning ways when they welcome Fulham to Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon. And Mauricio Pochettino has greeted positive updates on the team news front ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Ben Chilwell and Benoit Badiashile have made significant progress in their rehabilitation. The duo might feature for the West London club against Fulham this weekend. But they will not be fit enough to start on Saturday. Meanwhile, Trevoh Chalobah, Carney Chukwuemeka, and Robert Sanchez are closing in on returning to action.
In addition, Reece James (hamstring), Wesley Fofana (knee), Marc Cucurella (ankle), Trevoh Chalobah (hamstring), Lesley Ugochukwu (hamstring), and Romeo Lavia (thigh) remain in the treatment room, while Christopher Nkunku (hip) is the most notable absentee.
During his pre-match press conference, Pochettino spoke about Nkunku while providing the fitness updates on Chilwell, Badiashile, Chalobah, Chukwuemeka, and Sanchez. He said, “We are a little bit worried about the situation of Nkunku because it’s 10 days that he cannot train and we are assessing him, but it’s good news on the other side that players like Chalobah, Chilwell, Badiashile and Chukwuemeka are so close to being involved again and to help the team to perform.”
“It is good news about Chilwell and Benoit, and we need to assess if Carney will be available or not. But Chilly and Benoit, yes, for sure they will be involved in the squad for tomorrow. The other good news is that Trevoh has rejoined the team and started to work with the group. Now we need to assess him day by day and see when he can help us. He is doing well and it’s a good sign that Trevoh is training with the team.”
Chilwell will unlikely be fit enough to start, meaning Levi Colwill will continue as the left-back. The young Englishman will accompany Thiago Silva, Axel Disasi, and Malo Gusto in the backline. Djordje Petrovic will continue deputising for Robert Sanchez.
As for the midfield unit, Conor Gallagher and Enzo Fernandez should pair up in the double pivot, with Cole Palmer reprising the no. 10 role. Raheem Sterling and Mykhailo Mudryk should be the two wide attackers. Finally, Armando Broja will spearhead the Chelsea attack against Fulham, with Nicolas Jackson away on AFCON duty.
Predicted Chelsea XI: Petrovic; Gusto, Disasi, Silva, Colwill; Gallagher, Fernandez; Sterling, Palmer, Mudryk; Broja
