Trevoh Chalobah will return to the Chelsea starting lineup against FC Copenhagen for the second leg in the UEFA Europa Conference League round of 16 on Thursday.
Chelsea will aim to clinch a spot in the UEFA Europa Conference League quarter-finals when they welcome FC Copenhagen to Stamford Bridge for the second leg of the round of 16 on Thursday night. Enzo Maresca has greeted positive updates on the team news front ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Reece James, Cole Palmer, and Christopher Nkunku have trained after struggling with minor issues this past weekend. However, Nicolas Jackson, Noni Madueke, and Marc Guiu remain on the sidelines due to their hamstring injuries.
In addition, Mykhailo Mudryk continues to serve his suspension after failing a doping test, while Malo Gusto has yet to recover from an ankle injury. Meanwhile, during his pre-match press conference, Maresca provided a fitness update on several players.
The Chelsea manager said, “For Cole, Reece and Christo, today has been first session [of the week]. Yesterday they were not here and two days ago we had a rest. Today they trained with us, took part in the session, and we will see tomorrow if we can use some of them. The only new one that is still injured is Malo Gusto.”
“Noni, Nico and the rest are still out are still out. The rest they can play. He [Nicolas Jackson] could be back after the international break, Noni also. That’s good news. Now before the break we have two games, two efforts, tomorrow and Sunday, and then we have the international break and can recover energy, recover players, and then go for the last sprint.”
The Chelsea manager continued, “Romeo is much better. He isn’t in the Conference League squad unfortunately but for him it’s similar to Reece James in terms of the main target for us is to help him be fit until the end and help him play as many games as he can.”
Robert Sanchez will retain his spot between the sticks, with Chelsea lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of him against FC Copenhagen on Thursday. The backline should feature Trevoh Chalobah, Tosin Adarabioyo, Benoit Badiashile, and Marc Cucurella.
As for the midfield unit, Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo should pair up in the double pivot, with Reece James being an option on the bench. Finally, Cole Palmer will reprise the no. 10 role, with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Tyrique George, and Shumaira Mheuka playing around him in the offensive quartet.
Predicted Chelsea XI: Sanchez; Chalobah, Adarabioyo, Badiashile, Cucurella; Fernandez, Caicedo; George, Palmer, Dewsbury-Hall; Mheuka
