Timo Werner and Mateo Kovacic are set to miss out with injuries but Cesar Azpilicueta should start when Chelsea face Leicester City in the Premier League.
Chelsea will be aiming to confirm a third-place finish in the Premier League when they play hosts to Brendan Rodgers’ Leicester City side at Stamford Bridge on Thursday night.
Heading into the game, Chelsea have several injury concerns as Timo Werner has been ruled out, while Kai Havertz and Mateo Kovacic are doubts for the encounter. Ben Chilwell is back in team training but is unlikely to be rushed back after his lengthy injury layoff. Andreas Christensen could also miss out after being asked to be excluded from the FA Cup final against Liverpool.
Chelsea vs Leicester City Preview: Probable Lineups, Prediction, Tactics, Team News & Key Stats
“With Andreas, I’m not sure yet if he’s going to be involved tomorrow or even at the weekend. Kai will try in training today. He was in individual training yesterday rather than with the team so there’s still a big question mark over him for tomorrow,” manager Thomas Tuchel said in his pre-match presser.
“Timo is out with a hamstring problem. Kova had a big swollen ankle after the match and he did not train yesterday so it is unlikely he will be available tomorrow. Yesterday Ben Chilwell was back in team training which was very good news and a big uplift for everyone. It was very good news to see him back in training but of course he is out for the match,” Tuchel added.
Chelsea could make one or two changes to the side that took the field against Liverpool in the FA Cup final. Thiago Silva could be rested after he played the final with a knock. It could pave the way for Malang Sarr to get a starting berth, with Antonio Rudiger moving into the heart of the three-man defence, allowing the French ace to feature on the left.
Trevoh Chalobah could also be given a breather, with captain Cesar Azpilicueta in line to start as the right-sided centre-back for the Blues against Leicester City. Reece James and Marcos Alonso are guaranteed to feature as the wing-backs on the right and left sides, respectively. With Kovacic likely to miss out, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Jorginho should form the double pivot for Chelsea in midfield.
Moving into the final third of the pitch, Tuchel is unlikely to make any major tweaks, especially with Werner and Havertz unavailable for selection. Mason Mount and Christian Pulisic should continue as the two attacking midfielders, with Romelu Lukaku spearheading the attack for Chelsea. Hakim Ziyech will be hoping for minutes from the bench.
Chelsea Predicted XI: Mendy, Azpilicueta, Rudiger, Sarr, James, Loftus-Cheek, Jorginho, Alonso, Mount, Lukaku, Pulisic.
