At Stamford Bridge, Mauricio Pochettino will have to wait a bit longer for a crucial double fitness boost.
Malo Gusto and Christopher Nkunku will still be out of Chelsea’s FA Cup match against Aston Villa tonight.
The two are reportedly in “team training for their reconditioning phase” according to Chelsea, but they won’t be ready for this evening’s Stamford Bridge match against Liverpool in the fourth round. However, Mauricio Pochettino later disclosed that they might both play on Wednesday.
However, they are currently one of ten players out, including Nicolas Jackson, who is still playing for Senegal at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Injuries have sidelined Marc Cucurella, Robert Sanchez, Reece James, Wesley Fofana, Lesley Ugochukwu, and Romeo Lavia. Trevoh Chalobah, who hasn’t played this season, is still getting back to full strength.
Chelsea’s match against high-flying Premier League opponents in the other domestic cup tournament will probably see them draft Conor Gallagher back in after their 6-1 victory over Middlesbrough in the Carabao Cup semi-finals.
Behind a defense that includes Ben Chilwell, Thiago Silva, Axel Disasi, and Levi Colwill, goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic could be used.
Gallagher is expected to rejoin a midfield that also includes Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo, with Cole Palmer, Raheem Sterling, and Armando Broja set to stay in the attack.
Chelsea XI predicted (4-2-3-1): Palmer, Gallagher, Sterling; Broja; Caicedo, Fernandez; Disasi, Silva, Colwill, and Chilwell; Petrovic
Gusto, Nkunku, Chalobah, Cucurella, Sanchez, James, Fofana, Ugochukwu, Lavia have all sustained injuries.
Jackson is not available (AFCON)
Time and date: Friday, January 26, 2024, at 7:45 p.m. GMT
Location: London’s Stamford Bridge
