Moises Caicedo will make his first start for Chelsea, but Mykhailo Mudryk is unavailable to take on Luton Town.
Chelsea will be eager to pick up the first competitive win of the Mauricio Pochettino era when they welcome Luton Town to Stamford Bridge on Friday night. And the Argentine tactician has new injury concerns hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Carney Chukwuemeka sustained a knee injury in the game against West Ham United last weekend. In addition, Mykhailo Mudryk sustained an issue in training this week and is unavailable for the game against Luton Town.
The duo has joined Marcus Bettinelli (match fitness), Benoit Badiashile (thigh), Trevoh Chalobah (thigh), Reece James (hamstring), Wesley Fofana (knee), Christopher Nkunku (knee), and Armando Broja (knee) on the sidelines. In addition, Romeo Lavia does not have enough match fitness to feature for Chelsea yet.
Pochettino spoke about Mudryk and Lavia during his pre-match press conference. He also hinted that Moises Caicedo make his first start for the Blues, saying, “Lavia, after we assessed him, I think he still needs a few weeks to be ready to be involved with the team. In his conditioning he’s working to try to catch his team-mates.”
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“For Romeo we need to wait a few weeks to be with the team, but with Moi we are ready. We will see with Carney. It is not as big an issue that would maybe need months, I think maybe it will be weeks. I hope he can be back as soon as possible with the team again.”
“For Mykhailo it’s a minor issue, I think maybe a few days, but he isn’t going to be available for tomorrow. We are disappointed because of the situation for him where he played 45 minutes against West Ham. We need to wait maybe one week, or a few days, to have him again involved with the team.”
Chukwuemeka’s absence means Moises Caicedo will make his first start for Chelsea this week. The former Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder had a disastrous debut last weekend against West Ham United. So he will look to make amends when he pairs up with Enzo Fernandez in the middle of the park.
Caicedo’s presence in the team means Conor Gallagher will have a free role in the final third, and he will accompany Raheem Sterling and Nicolas Jackson in the final third. Meanwhile, Ben Chilwell and Malo Gusto should be the two wing-backs for the hosts.
The rest of the starting lineup picks itself. Thiago Silva, Levi Colwill, and Axel Disasi are automatic picks as the three centre-backs. And Robert Sanchez is currently the first-choice centre-back for the West London club. Noni Madueke and Ian Maatsen will be among the backup options for the hosts.
Predicted Chelsea XI: Sanchez; Disasi, Silva, Colwill; Gusto, Fernandez, Caicedo, Chilwell; Gallagher, Sterling; Jackson
