Chelsea team news and predicted XI vs Newcastle as Pochettino left without five
Mauricio Pochettino previews Newcastle clash
Chelsea head coach Mauricio Pochettino has had two weeks to work with his players on the training pitch during the international break, but he is still no closer in ending their injury troubles. The Argentinian will be again without five key squad members for the trip to face Newcastle in the North East, with the Blues in better form after beating Tottenham and a thrilling draw with Manchester City. Ahead of a tough test against Eddie Howe’s side, Express Sport looks at which starting XI Pochettino could select…
Goalkeeper: Robert Sanchez
The Spaniard will take up his position as first-choice stopper again despite question marks over his form in the Chelsea goal.
The £25million signing has conceded 10 goals in his last five appearances and hasn’t registered a clean sheet since the 2-0 win over Fulham back in October.
The lack of competition from Djordje Petrovic, 24, means he won’t be fearing his position between the sticks just yet. The Serbian hasn’t played a single minute this season since his £14m switch from New England Revolution and was an unused substitute in Serbia’s 2-2 draw with Bulgaria in the international break too.
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Defenders: Reece James, Axel Disasi, Thiago Silva, Marc Cucurella
Pochettino has already given the game away with Reece James, confirming the right-back will play as he completes the final stage of his long-winded recovery plan. The captain turned down a call-up to the England squad to concentrate on regaining full fitness and he is set to play against Newcastle.
“He’s doing well, he’s at a very good level,” the Chelsea boss said. “He’s improving everyday, we’re so happy with him. Hope he can cope with the demands of 90 minutes and we’ll see tomorrow. Now you know one player that is going to play.”
Trevoh Chalobah, Wesley Fofana and Ben Chilwell are still out for the long-term. But Fofana’s return to training on the grass has encouraged Pochettino that he could be back earlier than first thought in 2024: “For him it was a massive motivation to be there and for us also to see him after a long time out of the picture. It is good that he starts to feel the grass.”
Levi Colwill is also fit again after missing the 4-4 draw with Manchester City through illness.
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Midfielders: Conor Gallagher, Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez
Only against Brentford has Pochettino deviated from this midfield three, and that wasn’t by choice either with Fernandez ruled out through injury.
That won’t change barring a last-minute injury, with £58m summer signing Romeo Lavia still not ready to return from an ankle injury. And it means the same midfield trio featuring two £100million+ midfielders will be tasked with dominating the ball against Bruno Guimaraes, Sean Longstaff and Joelinton.
Along with Lavia, attacking midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka remains injured and won’t be part of the squad after he suffered a setback in his rehabilitation in October.
Forwards: Cole Palmer, Nicolas Jackson, Raheem Sterling
Pochettino confirmed that Christopher Nkunku will not be fit enough to return to the squad against Newcastle despite the Frenchman dropping several hints that he was nearing a return to action.
When asked for a timeframe on his return, Pochettino said: “It’s difficult say because we need to assess them day by day. They are in a good condition. Nkunku a little ahead of Lavia. He was doing things with the group last week, still not full recovered to be part of the squad.”
Mykhaylo Mudryk will be hoping to build on his return improvement in form but Sterling’s performances could keep him out of the starting lineup. Armando Broja is fit again and returns to the bench after an impressive cameo against Manchester City, where he won a late penalty.
Chelsea predicted XI to face Newcastle: Sanchez; James, Disasi, Silva, Cucurella; Gallagher, Caicedo, Fernandez; Palmer, Jackson, Sterling.
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