Chelsea team news and predicted XI vs Spurs as Pochettino faces Mudyrk dilemma
Mauricio Pochettino previews Chelsea's clash with Spurs
Chelsea head coach Mauricio Pochettino will be desperate for his players to bounce back from their disappointing defeat against Brentford as he visits former club Tottenham in Monday night’s London derby. The Blues have slipped to 13th in the Premier League table ahead of their clash against Ange Postecoglou’s unbeaten side and for Pochettino, this clash will mean more than just three points after his sacking four years ago. Express Sport looks at how they west London side could line up at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
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 been solid in recent weeks before dropping a clanger in the 2-2 draw against Arsenal, and that mistake appears to have knocked his confidence after a nervy display in the 2-0 defeat to Brentford last time out.
What was most surprising was that Serbia international Djordje Petrovic was not given a runout in the Carabao Cup against Blackburn, given Sanchez’s sub-par performances.
The £14m arrival from New England Revolution is yet to make his debut but was left on the bench for their victory against the Championship side. And it appears he hasn’t done enough to convince Pochettino or goalkeeping coach Toni Jimenez in training that he is capable of challenging Sanchez for the No 1 jersey.
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Defenders: Reece James, Axel Disasi, Thiago Silva, Levi Colwill
A sandwich comprising of two Cobham graduates with a France international duo in the middle may be the recipe for success for Pochettino going forward after having to chop and change at the back far too often.
Badiashile is still making his way back to full fitness after a long time out injured, so Thiago Sillva could return after being rested in midweek and Marc Cucurella may drop to the bench to make way for Colwill. Cucurella has made remarkable improvements this season, but Pochettino could favour using the 21-year-old as a third centre-back when James attacks down the right.
Trevoh Chalobah, Wesley Fofana and Ben Chilwell are still out for the long-term, so Disasi will keep his place in the team after being used in almost every game this season.
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Midfielders: Conor Gallagher, Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez
This midfield three is unlikely to change this season unless injury hits Chelsea again, with the Blues already left without £58m summer signing Romeo Lavia since his arrival in September.
Even if he starts as expected, Gallagher will relinquish the captaincy on this occasion as club captain James is back in the starting XI. Teenager Lesley Ugochukwu will drop to the bench after Caicedo was benched for the first half against Blackburn to give the Ecuadorian a rest.
Attacking midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka suffered a setback in his rehabilitation in October and is sidelined again.
Forwards: Cole Palmer, Nicolas Jackson, Raheem Sterling.
Mykhaylo Mudryk is back in full training ahead of Monday’s fixture, which will give Pochettino a boost as he looks to his misfiring attack to provide a response after a woeful display against Brentford. But it remains to be seen if the Ukrainian will be risked.
The 22-year-old winger has been out with a muscle injury but is now expected to return for the London derby, although he may have to settle for a place on the bench after missing the last two matches.
That means struggling striker Jackson is likely to keep his place, despite concerns over his form. Palmer and Sterling will be stationed on either side of the 22-year-old as inverted wingers, with Christopher Nkunku (knee) not expected back until after the international break.
Armando Broja is a doubt after the Chelsea boss said of the Albania striker: “Maybe he will be available to be on the bench on Monday and he is training today but it is still not confirmed.”
Chelsea predicted XI to face Tottenham: Sanchez; James, Disasi, Silva, Colwill; Gallagher, Caicedo, Fernandez; Palmer, Jackson, Sterling.
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