Chelsea have made a mixed start to their 2023/24 Premier League season and so far, they have suffered two losses from their first four matches.
The Blues will head to the Vitality Stadium on Sunday to take on AFC Bournemouth and the visitors need to pick up a win at any cost because anything other than three points and they could slide down towards the relegation zone.
Bournemouth, thankfully, have also made a very poor start to their campaign and they have been unable to keep a clean sheet in their previous five matches. Chelsea do have a long injury list but they have some world-class talents who can win them matches single-handedly.
Chelsea are not playing in Europe this season so they have only the EPL to look forward to which is why they have to finish in the top four by any means possible.
Chelsea’s team news and injuries:
Pochettino will be sweating over the injuries because he could have as many as ten players missing on Sunday.
Wesley Fofana is out for the remainder of the season but defenders Badiashile and Chalobah are closing a return. However, this weekend’s game will most likely come too early for the pair which means Poch will have to start Levi Colwill once again.
Reece James is another defensive injury blow as the right-back is recovering from a hamstring injury. James’ absence means Malo Gusto will hold onto his place in the team.
Summer signing Romeo Lavia has picked a knee injury in training during the week and as per the reports, he is expected to be out for five to six weeks.
Christopher Nkunku sustained a knee injury during pre-season and the forward will only return in November but Mykhailo Mudryk is back to full fitness and will be available for selection this weekend.
Nicolas Jackson has been wasteful up front for Chelsea but Pochettino does not have any other dependable striker in his squad right now. The only option he will have is to use Nkunku up front when he returns from his injury.
Chelsea predicted line up vs Bournemouth:
Predicted Starting XI(3-5-2): Sanchez; Disasi, Silva, Colwill; Gusto, Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez, Gallagher, Chilwell; Raheem Sterling, Jackson.
