Chelsea’s team for tonight is out, and as we expected it’s a team down to the bare bones.
Mauricio Pochettino makes just one change to the side that drew with Aston Villa at the weekend, with Alfie Gilchrist playing at right back. But that’s the only change he can possibly make. Literally every other first team player is unavailable, leading to a quite incredible substitute list.
Marcus Bettinelli is a third choice keeper, but of the outfield players on the bench, not a single one has a Premier League start to their name. In fact, Cesare Casadei is the only player on the bench with a start in senior football at any level.
Casadei’s 7 appearances off the bench make him the most experienced player available as an alternative for Mauricio Pochettino. That is a quite incredible situation to be in.
Cobham’s chance to prove its worth again
Injuries have torn through the squad, and every time it seems we’ve turned a corner we’re plunged back to the worst of it. Players like Robert Sanchez, Ben Chilwell and Malo Gusto were supposed to be ready to help us from here until the end of the season, but they’ve vanished from the squad like so many of their colleagues.
Gilchrist was thrown into action earlier in the season when times were tough, and he proved himself capable. Maybe Pochettino is now looking back at his chances to use some of these kids earlier in the season and is rueing not doing so.
Your Chelsea side tonight! 🫡@ParimatchUK | #CFC | #CheTot pic.twitter.com/EdC9vKEVSz
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) May 2, 2024
Players like Josh Acheampong and Tyrique George could easily have been blooded at some point in this campaign, then you’d feel a little more comfortable tonight. On the other hand, we’re excited by the chance to see them step up tonight. Pochettino has been so resistant to use some of these Cobham products, but tonight his hand has been forced.
