Malo Gusto and Christopher Nkunku are closing in on returning to action for Chelsea against Aston Villa in the FA Cup on Friday.
Chelsea will aim to reach the FA Cup fifth round when they welcome Aston Villa to Stamford Bridge in the fourth round on Friday evening. And Mauricio Pochettino has greeted positive updates on the team news front ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Malo Gusto and Christopher Nkunku have stepped up their recovery programs and might be available on Friday. But the FA Cup clash might have come too soon for the French duo to feature from the get-go.
Meanwhile, Robert Sanchez (knee), Reece James (hamstring), Wesley Fofana (knee), Marc Cucurella (ankle), Romeo Lavia (thigh), and Lesley Ugochukwu (hamstring) remain in the Chelsea treatment room.
In addition, Nicolas Jackson is in the Ivory Coast for the Africa Cup of Nations. Pochettino discussed team news updates during his pre-match press conference, discussing the issues surrounding Gusto and Nkunku.
He said, “They could be available for Liverpool on Wednesday, maybe. We need to see how they progress in the next few days. We are positive but we will see. They are not going to be available for tomorrow.”
Pochettino also spoke about Ben Chilwell, who has recently returned from a hamstring injury. The Chelsea boss said, “He’s an experienced player and the challenge was from the beginning of pre-season to build his fitness and of course improve not only his offensive face, but his defensive face. That was the challenge for us, to help him be a more complete player.”
Chilwell should take his spot as the left-back, joining Levi Colwill, Benoit Badiashile, and Axel Disasi in the backline. The defensive quartet should protect Djordje Petrovic, who will deputise for Robert Sanchez between the sticks.
As for the midfield unit, there is no looking past Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez in the double pivot. Meanwhile, Conor Gallagher should be the most advanced midfielder, reprising the no. 10 role. Finally, Cole Palmer, Noni Madueke, and Raheem Sterling should form a fluid offensive trifecta for Chelsea against Aston Villa.
Predicted Chelsea XI: Petrovic; Disasi, Badiashile, Colwill, Chilwell; Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez; Madueke, Gallagher, Sterling; Palmer
