Predicted Chelsea lineup against Everton: Mudryk to return; Gallagher in deeper role

Mykhailo Mudryk will return to the Chelsea starting lineup against Everton at Stamford Bridge on Monday evening.

Chelsea will look to continue the recent unbeaten run while aiming to return to winning ways when they welcome Everton to Stamford Bridge on Monday evening. And Mauricio Pochettino has new roster issues to deal with ahead of his side’s latest fixture.

The Argentine tactician has been sweating over the fitness of several players heading into the game. Robert Sanchez, Ben Chilwell, and Raheem Sterling have been recovering from illness, while Axel Disasi and Enzo Fernandez are dealing with knocks.

Malo Gusto and Cole Palmer were also minor doubts, but the duo is fit and available. However, Reece James, Wesley Fofana, Levi Colwill, Romeo Lavia, Lesley Ugochukwu, and Christopher Nkunku remain on the sidelines. Meanwhile, Pochettino provided an update on Sterling during his pre-match press conference.

The Chelsea manager said, “He is suffering from vomiting, he told the doctor. He was not training at the start of the week after Sheffield, because he suffered a problem in his back, but we will see. We need to assess him and see whether it is a virus or not.”

Pochettino also discussed the issues surrounding Chilwell, Disasi, and Fernandez in his presser. He said, “It’s not only him [Chilwell], too many players that we need are missing over the competition. But in his personal case, Chilly is in partial training with the team today and we will see if he can be in the squad on the bench for Monday. It is good news but he has not played too much this season.”

The Chelsea manager continued, “We’ll see, Enzo and Axel are under assessment. They have different types of issues. We don’t believe they are big issues but we will see if they can be available.”

With Enzo Fernandez doubtful to feature from the get-go, Conor Gallagher will drop into the double pivot. The English international will accompany Moises Caicedo in the double pivot in the middle of the park, while Cole Palmer will reprise the no. 10 role.

Nicolas Jackson will lead the line for Chelsea against Everton, with Mykhailo Mudryk returning to the starting lineup. Mudryk will take up the left-wing berth, with Noni Madueke starting on the right flank. Finally, the backline should see a change, with Malo Gusto replacing Disasi. He will accompany Thiago Silva, Trevoh Chalobah, and Marc Cucurella in the backline, with Djordje Petrovic taking his spot between the sticks.

Predicted Chelsea XI: Petrovic; Gusto, Thiago Silva, Chalobah, Cucurella; Caicedo, Gallagher; Madueke, Palmer, Mudryk; Jackson