Chelsea are struggling for consistency in the Premier League and have another tough game to play on Sunday afternoon when Wolves arrive at Stamford Bridge.
Mauricio Pochettino can’t have been happy with what he saw from most of his players during the 4-1 defeat to Liverpool on Wednesday night, but he isn’t blessed with many opportunities to change the starting XI.
A host of players remain out injured for the Blues, but Nicolas Jackson has returned from the Africa Cup of Nations while Armando Broja was loaned to Fulham on Deadline Day.
Here’s the starting lineup Pochettino may choose when Chelsea host Wolves on Sunday.
GK: Djordje Petrovic – Robert Sanchez is still out injured so Petrovic will continue in his bid to secure the position in the long term.
RB: Axel Disasi – Malo Gusto is likely to be needed on the other flank, so Disasi will continue at right-back while Pochettino waits for Reece James to get fit.
CB: Thiago Silva – It’s likely to be another tough game for Silva in yet another makeshift back four. It can’t be easy to maintain standards with so many different players and positions being used.
CB: Benoit Badiashile – Badiashile had a terrible time against Liverpool but is expected to start again, so he needs to show his coach something different.
LB: Malo Gusto – Ben Chilwell really did not impress at Anfield and is expected to be taken out of the firing line, which means Gusto has to be used on the left flank.
CM: Moises Caicedo – One of the very few steady starters in this Chelsea team, Caicedo is doing a solid but unspectacular job in this midfield.
CM: Enzo Fernandez – The same can be said for Fernandez, who needs to show just why so much money was spent on him last January. The ever-changing attack ahead of him doesn’t help, mind.
RW: Cole Palmer – The best Chelsea player this season, Palmer needs to keep scoring and hope that others around him start to do the same.
AM: Christopher Nkunku – Conor Gallagher was poor against Liverpool and is set to be replaced by Nkunku, who netted a consolation for the Blues on Merseyside.
LW: Raheem Sterling – Another underachieving player this season, Sterling needs to rediscover that ruthlessness which has gone from his game.
ST: Nicolas Jackson – Has hardly been electric for Chelsea since arriving but Jackson’s return from AFCON will be important as he at least provides a focal point.
