Jose Mourinho is set to blood two more Chelsea youngsters in the final game of the season this Sunday against Sunderland.
Defender Andreas Christensen, who made his Chelsea debut in the fourth round of the Capital One Cup earlier this season against Shrewsbury, may be given his full Premier League debut this Sunday, whilst attacking midfielder Jeremie Boga may also make his full Chelsea debut.
Eden Hazard, who was named the Barclays Player of the Year this morning (alongside claiming the PFA and the FWA Player of the Year awards respectively), is set to miss this Sunday’s fixture after having three wisdom teeth removed on Wednesday.
Oscar (thigh), Ramires (kidney) and Kurt Zouma (knee) will all definitely miss this weekend’s clash, while Petr Cech may miss what looks to be his final game with the Blues due to a calf problem and Cesc Fabregas serves his one-match ban.
Striker Diego Costa is expected to start for the second successive game after recovering from a hamstring problem.
Sunderland boss Dick Advocaat is also set to name youngsters Duncan Watmore, Tommy Robson and Liam Agnew amongst The Black Cats’ substitutes, with Sebastian Larsson, Wes Brown and Liam Bridcutt all doubts for Sunday.
With The Blues already crowned as Premier League champions and The Black Cats safe from relegation following a 0-0 draw with Arsenal; both sides will have a day to celebrate on Sunday.
Players from Mourinho’s first Premier League triumph in 2005 will parade on the pitch before kick-off. Didier Drogba and Cech were both integral parts of the winning squad from 2005, and while Drogba may stay at the Bridge for another season, Cech could be set for an emotional farewell after a brilliant 11-year spell with The Blues.
Match Facts:
- Sunderland travel to Stamford Bridge unbeaten in their last two games against Chelsea, following a 0-0 draw earlier this campaign and a 2-1 victory at the Bridge last season (ending Mourinho’s unbeaten home record).
- Mourinho’s home league record at the Bridge is 246 points from a possible 291. (W75, D21, L1).
- John Terry will become the first ever Chelsea player to complete every minute of every game in a title-winning season should he play the whole 90 minutes this weekend.
- Sunderland have won just one of their previous 13 Premier League games on the final day of the season.
- Should Chelsea score this weekend, it would be the 200th in the league under Jose Mourinho.
- Chelsea are the only team in the top four divisions to have not suffered defeat at home in the league this season. The Blues have also conceded fewer league goals at home than any other team from the top four divisions this season (eight).
- Lee Cattermole will become the first player to receive 15 yellow cards in a single Premier League season
- Whatever the result on Sunday, Chelsea will set a new club record for the fewest defeats in all competitions over one season. (Currently just four defeats, all from managers with surnames beginning with ‘P’).