Mauricio Pochettino will tinker with his squad before making the final decision on the Chelsea lineup, with Reece James and Axel Disasi doubtful.
Mauricio Pochettino and Chelsea will welcome Arsenal and aim to keep his unbeaten home record against the Gunners going. Before that, he must tinker with his squad to find his strongest possible lineup to take the pitch at Stamford Bridge.
Journalists asked Pochettino about his lengthy injury list and paid particular attention to what the Chelsea boss had to say about a certain Reece James. The Argentine, during his pre-match press conference, covered a lot of ground and insisted the right-back, alongside a few others, remains a doubt for the Arsenal clash.
Pochettino said, “I think we need to assess now as we finished the training session a little bit late. We need to assess Axel Disasi, we need to assess Nico Jackson, also Reece James we need to assess. Reece was training good the last few days and it’s now to talk about with all the medical staff and everything and then decide if he can be part of the squad tomorrow.”
James is only returning to training since playing on the opening weekend against Liverpool. There is risk in involving him from the start, considering his long injury record. In his place, Pochettino can think about including Malo Gusto, who has returned from his suspension.
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Meanwhile, Pochettino also insisted Benoit Badiashile can return to the squad while confirming Armando Broja’s absence from the Arsenal clash. He explained, “Armando Broja is out because he’s irritated his knee a little bit, but it is the other knee, not the one that was a problem in the past.”
“We have a few players we need to assess to see if tomorrow they can be available, can play or can be on the bench or maybe out of the list. Benoit Badiashile may be available also for the match.”
With all the updates in place from Pochettino, there are plenty of areas on the pitch he must tinker with. Robert Sanchez will continue between the sticks, while there might be a changed back four for this game. With Gusto back and Disasi doubtful, Chelsea can use Levi Colwill back in the central areas alongside Thiago Silva.
It could allow Marc Cucurella to play as the left-back, having impressed in the last few games as a makeshift right-back covering for the suspended Gusto. Pochettino also confirmed midfield duo Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez were ready to play, as they will start alongside Conor Gallagher.
Despite Mykhailo Mudryk’s recent upturn in form for club and country, Pochettino will likely stick with Cole Palmer and Raheem Sterling in the wide attacking areas. With Broja absent, there were some doubts about Nicolas Jackson, although the striker will likely lead the line for Chelsea.
Predicted Chelsea XI: Sanchez; Gusto, Silva, Colwill, Cucurella; Fernandez, Caicedo, Gallagher; Palmer, Jackson, Sterling
