Chelsea will be without four first-team players when they take on Nottingham Forest on Saturday as they begin the hunt for a domestic cup.
The FA Cup third round kicks off this weekend for the top flight teams and the Blues have been paired with the seasoned Championship side. Although the game may look on paper as easy, Maurizio Sarri will not take chances and is expected to crash out any signs of complacency in his squad.
Several changes could be made to give rest to the players who have played mostly in the busy Christmas period. But the Italian’s hands will be tied in some aspects of the team with Pedro, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Olivier Giroud and Willian all ruled out according to Goal.
The wing positions will likely be filled by Eden Hazard and Ruben Loftus-Cheek while Alvaro Morata starts up front as the only striker option available to Sarri.
However, in defense, Emerson Palmieri is likely to replace Marcos Alonso at left back, Andreas Christensen may get a chance at center back along with Gary Cahill. Cesc Fabregas is reportedly set to play his final game for the Blues ahead of a move to AS Monaco this month.
Sarri will hope to win massively against Forest as a statement must be made by his stars for the remainder of the season following the inconsistent results they chalked in the last few weeks.
