A thrilling weekend in the Premier League was made all the more enjoyable for Chelsea fans because we didn’t play a game. That allowed us to focus on exciting action up and down the division – but the bubble bursts tonight when we face Everton.
That could be a tough reality check, and it’s time to stop laughing at Arsenal and Liverpool fumbling the title and start thinking about how we get past Sean Dyche’s team tonight.
The embargoed quotes from Mauricio Pochettino’s press conference on Friday which were released today have some interesting lines which will clearly affect his team decision tonight – not least with regards to £45m winger Raheem Sterling, whom Pochettino reported has been suffering with back pain and vomiting.
Back to the dark times
After a period where we were gradually moving back towards a fully fit squad, we’ve slumped back to a dark place in terms of options again.
At the back, Ben Chilwell and Levi Colwill both look to be heavy doubts, if not out entirely.
Malo Gusto and Marc Cucurella will play out wide, with Axel Disasi likely playing alongside Trevoh Chalobah in the middle.
Pochettino has hinted that Enzo Fernandez is carrying a chronic injury and may be rested to keep him fresh for Saturday’s FA Cup game. So expect to see Moises Caicedo partnering Conor Gallagher in the middle, with Cole Palmer ahead.
Taking Palmer out of the front 3, with Sterling ruled out, creates opportunities. With Nicolas Jackson leading the line, we could see Noni Madueke and Mykhailo Mudryk getting a rare start together out wide.
It’s an important game to win, but Pochettino’s Enzo comments give us a big hint that he considered that FA Cup semi final a priority. With City now in pole position in the league it might be a good moment to catch them.
