Chelsea FC XI vs Manchester United: Expected line-ups, confirmed team news and recent injuries for Premier League
Felix had pulled out of Sunday’s warm-up against Manchester City but the decision was just a precautionary measure and he is completing a week’s training with the Blues.
Kalidou Koulibaly is back in training but is out with a hamstring injury, leaving caretaker manager Frank Lampard with a long injury list.
Chelsea announced this week that Benoit Badiashile will be sidelined for a “prolonged” period following a hamstring injury he picked up in training, joining a host of other players on the touchline.
There seems little chance that any of N’Golo Kante, Mateo Kovacic, Mason Mount, Marc Cucurella, Ben Chilwell, Reece James or Armando Broja will feature in the final two games.
The goalkeeper of the third choice, Marcus Bettinelli, is probably injured.
This gives Lampard a choice of 23 experienced players for the final two games of the season. a trip to Old Trafford and a final home game in the league against Newcastle.
Lampard has tended to play a defensive 3-5-2 form in Chelsea’s toughest games this season and could stick with that formula after a slightly better performance in the 1-0 away loss at Manchester City.
The Blues could remain unchanged if Kepa Arrizabalaga stays in goal in front of a back three of Wesley Fofana, Thiago Silva and Trevoh Chalobah.
A five-man midfield consisting of full-backs Cesar Azpilicueta and Lewis Hall with Conor Gallagher, Enzo Fernandez and Ruben Loftus-Cheek could continue.
Then, despite the availability of numerous other options including Mykhailo Mudryk, Noni Madueke, Christian Pulisic, Felix and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, there could be two front spots with Kai Havertz and Raheem Sterling.
Expected Chelsea XI (3-4-3): Kepa; W. Fofana, Thiago Silva, Chalobah; Azpilicueta, Gallagher, Enzo, Loftus-Cheek, Hall; Sterling, Havertz.
https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/chelsea-fc-xi-vs-man-utd-predicted-lineup-confirmed-team-news-injury-latest-premier-league-2023-b1083382.html Chelsea FC XI vs Manchester United: Expected line-ups, confirmed team news and recent injuries for Premier League
