Sports Mole takes an in-depth look at how Chelsea could line up for Saturday’s Premier League clash with Manchester City.
Chelsea could be without as many as eight players for Saturday’s Premier League encounter with champions Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.
The West Londoners are sweating over the fitness of centre-back Thiago Silva, who was forced off in the second half of Monday’s 3-1 win at Crystal Palace with a groin injury.
Benoit Badiashile is also nursing a groin problem and is facing a month on the sidelines, while Robert Sanchez, Wesley Fofana (both knee), Reece James, Lesley Ugochukwu, Romeo Lavia (all hamstring) and Marc Cucurella (ankle) are all in the treatment room.
Mauricio Pochettino has allayed fears of Malo Gusto picking up an injury in the closing stages against Palace, and the 20-year-old right-back is expected to retain his place in the back four, but the potential absence of Silva could see Levi Colwill recalled to partner Axel Disasi in central defence.
Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo are expected to continue in a midfield triumvirate with Conor Gallagher, who scored twice against his former club Palace, while Pochettino will ponder whether to select ex-Man City man Cole Palmer as a false nine or on the right flank, where he provided two assists after switching positions in the second half on Monday.
Should Palmer operate on the right, either Nicolas Jackson or Christopher Nkunku could take up the centre-forward spot. The latter’s potential inclusion would likely see Jackson begin once again on the left, meaning Raheem Sterling, Mykhaylo Mudryk and Noni Madueke would all be forced to settle for a place on the substitutes’ bench.
Chelsea possible starting lineup: Petrovic; Gusto, Disasi, Colwill, Chilwell; Fernandez, Caicedo; Palmer, Gallagher, Jackson; Nkunku
> Click here to see how Manchester City could line up for this contest
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