N’Golo Kante will return, while Thiago Silva and Mason Mount are fit and available for the game between Chelsea and Real Madrid.
Chelsea will aim to take a step closer to the UEFA Champions League semi-finals when they lock horns with Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday night. And Frank Lampard has a near-full-strength squad at his disposal ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Armando Broja is the only notable absentee from the travelling squad. Apart from the youngster, Benoit Badiashile, Noni Madueke, and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang are not in Chelsea’s UEFA Champions League squad.
Meanwhile, during his pre-match press conference, Lampard spoke about the availability of Thiago Silva, N’Golo Kante, and Mason Mount. The Englishman also addressed questions surrounding Kante’s fitness with a lengthy response.
Lampard said, “They’re all fit, they’re all in the squad. They are good and they’re here. I think N’Golo’s a special player. I know the difficulties N’Golo’s had recently with injuries but in terms of coming back at a really high level, I witnessed him do that.”
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“He did in the Super Cup against Liverpool a few years ago He passed a fitness test, hadn’t played for a long time and he was the best player on the pitch for 120 minutes. He has the capacity to do that because he’s a special player. When we miss him as a club we miss him because of how good he is so it’s a positive that he’s back for sure.”
Silva’s return to fitness means he should start one of the most crucial games remaining this term for Chelsea. The Brazilian defender will likely join Wesley Fofana in the central defensive pairing. Ben Chilwell should also return after earning some rest this past weekend.
The Englishman and Reece James will be the two full-backs. Meanwhile, Kepa Arrizabalaga will take his spot between the sticks. As for the midfield unit, the fit-again Kante walks back into the starting lineup. The Frenchman will join Mateo Kovacic and Enzo Fernandez in the middle of the park.
So Mason Mount will be an option on the bench on Wednesday. Finally, Lampard will unlikely change the offensive trifecta despite failing to score against Wolverhampton Wanderers. So Kai Havertz will spearhead the attack against Chelsea, with Joao Felix and Raheem Sterling joining him.
Predicted Chelsea XI: Kepa; James, Wesley Fofana, Silva, Chilwell; Kante, Enzo Fernandez, Kovacic; Sterling, Havertz, Felix
