Chelsea are playing for pride tonight, and while a good result will mean a lot in itself, for Frank Lampard’s it’s also a question of figuring out a team that can pick up results in the final run of games until the season ends.
At the back, Kepa will keep his place after some good saves at the weekend. The back 3 in front of him has to have Thiago Silva and Wesley Fofana, and with Kalidou Koulibaly out and Benoit Badiashile not in the Champions League squad, Trevoh Chalobah will step in as he did at the weekend.
Ben Chilwell is suspended so Marc Cucurella plays at left wing back, with Reece James down the right.
In midfield, N’Golo Kante is fresh and rested and ready to play alongside Enzo Fernandez.
This is where things get interesting. Will Lampard go with the trusted Kovacic in a 3 man midfield, despite some poor recent form? Or does he risk a front 3, knowing he needs to score goals?
And who makes up that 3? Kai Havertz, Raheem Sterling, Christian Pulisic, Mason Mount, Mykhailo Mudryk, Noni Madueke… the list of options is endless, but every last one of them has struggled when in the team.
