Enzo Fernandez and Mykhaylo Mudryk will start when Chelsea host Fulham in the Premier League on Friday night.
Chelsea have picked up just one went from their last five Premier League matches and they are under a lot of pressure to turn things around. The Blues have spent massive sums of money during the January transfer window and the fans will be expecting to see a turnaround on the pitch when they face Fulham on Friday.
Graham Potter will be without the services of Armando Broja, Christian Pulisic, N’Golo Kante, Denis Zakaria, Mateo Kovacic, Edouard Mendy and Wesley Fofana due to injuries. Meanwhile, Joao Felix will serve the last of his three-match suspension against Fulham.
Chelsea vs Fulham Preview: Probable Lineups, Prediction, Tactics, Team News & Key Stats
During his pre-match press conference, Potter provided a team news update. While the Chelsea boss revealed the players who remain on the sidelines, he also spoke about those who are back in contention to feature for his team against Fulham.
Potter said, “We’ve got Ben Chilwell, Reece James, Raheem Sterling and Ruben Loftus-Cheek back in the squad. They’re not ready for 90 minutes but certainly in the squad. Wesley Fofana’s been training partly with the team and he’ll be stepping that up next week. And then we’re still without Denis Zakaria, Christian Pulisic, Mateo Kovacic, N’Golo Kante and Armando Broja.”
Kepa Arrizabalaga is set to start in the absence of Mendy, who is still recovering from his surgery. Cesar Azpilicueta should start as the right-back since James is not ready for 90 minutes. Marc Cucurella should slot in as the left-back there. At the heart of the Chelsea defence, Thiago Silva will partner January signing Benoit Badiashile.
Enzo Fernandez seems set for his debut here, although there have been concerns about his work permit. But with Kovacic ruled out, Jorginho sold and Loftus-Cheek not ready for a full game, the Argentine should start. Enzo Fernandez could start alongside Conor Gallagher in the middle of the park.
Mykhaylo Mudryk will start on the left flank, with Mason Mount as the number ten here. Hakim Ziyech could start on the right, even though his future remains uncertain. Sterling could come on later in the game. Finally, Kai Havertz is expected to lead the line for the hosts against Fulham.
Predicted Chelsea XI: Kepa; Azpilicueta, Silva, Badiashile, Cucurella; Fernandez, Gallagher; Ziyech, Mount, Mudryk; Havertz
the team selected is good provided the hunger is there to achieve