Chelsea reporter uncovers the lineup for the match against Brighton in the Carabao Cup
Chelsea will look to put their poor form and scoring problems behind them on Wednesday when they host Brighton & Hove Albion at Stamford Bridge in the Carabao Cup. The Blues have failed to score in their last three Premier League matches and will hope their attacking fortunes are different in the cup.
However, they will have to do so against an in-form Seagulls side, who have started the Premier League season with five wins from their opening six matches. However, Mauricio Pochettino is hoping his team can start to gain more confidence in themselves and can build some momentum as we head into October.
Last time, the Blues were defeated 0-1 at home by Aston Villa. Despite numerous chances and disallowed goals for Chelsea, Ollie Watkins’ goal in the second half proved victorious for traveling Villa at Stamford Bridge.
There could be some changes for Chelsea in Wednesday night’s cup tie. However, Pochettino will not be able to rotate his team as much as he would like due to the long injury list the Blues currently have.
Benoit Badiashile and Carney Chukwuemeka have both returned to partial training after long lay-offs, but the duo are expected to miss the match at Stamford Bridge. Armando Broja, despite coming off the bench in the defeat to Villa, is not yet ready to start in the cup tie, as Pochettino confirmed in Tuesday’s pre-match press conference after noon. Meanwhile, Marcus Bettinelli, Trevoh Chalobah, Wesley Fofana, Reece James, Christopher Nkunku and Romeo Lavia are still recovering and will miss the clash with Brighton. That said, Football.london’s Chelsea writers Bobby Vincent and Scott Trotter have picked the team they want to take on the Seagulls on Wednesday night.
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Bobby Vincent
Robert Sanchez has been excellent as a goalkeeper, especially in the last two games, but it will be nice to see a debut for summer signing Djordje Petrovic against Brighton. Petrovic is highly rated by the club and is said to have settled in well in west London.
There aren’t many options for the right-back position. Malo Gusto received a straight red card on Sunday and will therefore play his first game of his suspension against Brighton, meaning it is likely to be Axel Disasi on the right with James still injured.
Thiago Silva looks like he needs to be rested, so why not bring Alfie Gilchrist into the squad? The 19-year-old has just signed a contract extension with the club, so he is clearly highly rated and without too many other options, he could become a valuable partner for Levi Colwill.
We could see Ben Chilwell return to left-back, while Colwill could move to centre-back. Lesley Ugochukwu and Moises Caicedo will be an interesting pair to watch – when Enzo Fernandez is rested. Of the first four and personally I would like to see Raheem Sterling rested and Noni Madueke coming in on the right wing. Cole Palmer is in 10th place behind Nicolas Jackson, with Mykhailo Mudryk on the left.
Who says no? To be honest it’s probably Pochettino.
Bobby’s Ingredients:
Petrovich; Disasi, Gilchrist, Colwill, Chilwell; Ugochukwu, Caicedo; Madueke, Palmer, Mudryk; Jackson
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We could see Ben Chilwell return to left-back with Colwill likely to move into centre-back. Lesley Ugochukwu and Moises Caicedo would be an exciting double pivot to see – with Enzo Fernandez rested.
Onto the front four and personally, I would like to see Raheem Sterling rested and Noni Madueke come in on the right wing. Cole Palmer as a No.10 behind Nicolas Jackson, with Mykhailo Mudryk on the left.
Who says no? Probably Pochettino, to be honest.
Bobby’s lineup: Petrovic; Disasi, Gilchrist, Colwill, Chilwell; Ugochukwu, Caicedo; Madueke, Palmer, Mudryk; Jackson
Scott Trotter
Injuries leave little room for much rotation for Pochettino, but such is the significance of the Carabao Cup as a measure of success amid poor Premier League form, the Blues boss will have to pick the strongest possible team. Sanchez will face his former side after an impressive start to life in the Chelsea net.
The backline should see a change amid Gusto’s absence and James’ injury. Disasi, Silva and Colwill should all move one slot to the right with Chilwell coming into the side at left-back to captain the side.
Caicedo will be in for a busy evening against the Seagulls, with Enzo and Conor Gallagher likely to continue in midfield. Though there will perhaps be a temptation to utilise Palmer in the No.10 role.
Jackson will have to lead the line before his suspension kicks in with support from Sterling. Perhaps there is a hope that Mudryk can repeat his summer exploits against Brighton from the bench.
Scott’s lineup: Sanchez; Disasi, Silva, Colwill, Chilwell; Caicedo, Gallagher, Fernandez; Sterling, Jackson, Palmer