Chelsea FC XI vs Man City: Expected line-ups, confirmed team news and recent injuries for Premier League
Enoit Badiashile has been added to Chelsea’s growing list of injury-related absences ahead of the Manchester City trip.
The £35m January signing is out with a groin problem and is on the sidelines alongside Ben Chilwell, Reece James, N’Golo Kante, Mason Mount and Marc Cucurella.
Frank Lampard could be looking to play his energetic but defensive 3-5-2 form against a City side crowned champions after Arsenal’s 1-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
It would be a departure from the more expansive four-man system that has seen Chelsea end a poor scoring streak, scoring five goals in two games.
Kepa Arrizabalga was not used last week but could return behind a back three of Trevoh Chalobah, Thiago Silva and Wesley Fofana. Cesar Azpilicueta is likely to be used at right-back, with youngster Lewis Hall at the other end.
Enzo Fernandez was set to be joined by Conor Gallagher and Ruben Loftus-Cheek in midfield, backing both front players Kai Havertz and Raheem Sterling.
“We’re pretty much the same as last time in terms of injuries with Mason, Reece, Chilly, N’Golo and Marc Cucurella not fit,” said Lampard.
“Koulibaly has been training with us for the last week but probably isn’t really ready for a game like this just yet, but to be fair he’s ahead of schedule.
“Benoit injured his groin in training two days ago and will miss the game.”
Expected Chelsea XI: Kepa; Chalobah, Thiago Silva, W. Fofana; Azpilicueta, Loftus-Cheek, Enzo, Gallagher, Hall; Sterling, Havertz
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