The last thing that Mauricio Pochettino currently needs is injury headaches, but the Chelsea boss could be without up to 10 players for today’s visit of Burnley. It’s essentially another must-win game for the Blues if they are to have any chance of securing European football next season, currently lying 11th in the Premier League table.
Both Cole Palmer and Ben Chilwell picked up knocks on international duty with England, with neither guaranteed to feature at Stamford Bridge. The potential loss of Palmer in particular threatens to neutralise the threat of the hosts, with the forward having scored 14 times this season and perceived to be his side’s outstanding performer.
Keeper Robert Sanchez, Trevoh Chalobah, Carney Chukwuemeka, Levi Colwill and Reece James are all already ruled out with injury, while Romeo Lavia and Wesley Fofana are not expected to be available until June. Right-back Malo Gusto is also a doubt after suffering with a virus, although according to his manager is on track to recover.
It means Pochettino will be forced to field a different line-up to the one that overcame Leicester City in the FA Cup prior to the international break. That dramatic clash yielded a 4-2 win, setting up a final four clash with Manchester City.
Dorde Petrovic is almost certain to return in goal, with Thiago Silva likely to be recalled in place of Chalobah. Should he be passed fit, Chilwell will be expected to be favoured over Marc Cucurella.
The Argentinian is also expected to keep faith with wide-man Raheem Sterling, despite his current loss of form. The 29-year-old has lost his place in the England squad and faced widespread ridicule after the Leicester tie for firing a free-kick disastrously high and wide.
One player on the Chelsea books who also definitely won’t feature is David Fofana. The Ivorian forward is currently on loan at Burnley from the London club, and is ineligible to play against his parent club.
Luca Koleosho, Nathan Redmond and Aaron Ramsey are also ruled out long term for the Clarets. But regardless, Vincent Kompany’s relegation-threatened team also desperately need three points, five points off survival with time running out.
Predicted Chelsea XI: Petrovic, Gusto, Disasi, Silva, Chilwell, Caicedo, Gallagher, Palmer, Mudryk, Sterling, Jackson.
