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Raheem Sterling has been struggling for fitness and form. (Image: Getty)
The euphoria of Chelsea’s dramatic 4-3 win over Man United had barely died down when Mauricio Pochettino was back under pressure from disgruntled fans, with the Blues held to a draw at rock bottom Sheffield United eight days ago. Time is running out for the club to secure European football next season, via the league at least, and the hosts are in desperate need of three points against Everton tonight. Here, Express Sport takes you through how Chelsea are likely to line up...
Robert Sanchez is expected to recover from illness in time to be available, but regardless, it will inevitably be Djordje Petrovic who starts. Since coming into the side in December, the Serbian has been the first choice although Pochettino’s faith has not been rewarded by clean sheets.
The last time Petrovic didn’t concede in 90 minutes? You have to go back to the Carabao Cup final on February 25, when the Reds scored a winner in extra time anyway.
Defence: Malo Gusto, Trevoh Chalobah, Thiago Silva, Marc Cucurella
It’s hard to assess what has been more bizarre in Todd Boehly’s tenure as chairman - the transfer policy or the debilitating injury list each of his managers has had to deal with. And Pochettino’s options are limited for the visit for the Toffees with Axel Diasi and Ben Chilwell both facing a race against time and Levi Colwill and Wesley Fofana already ruled out.
Mauricio Pochettino says his team ares till chasing European football. (Image: Getty)
Right-back Malo Gusto played against United before being rested for the trip to Bramall Lane, and will return to the XI. Unless the manager opts to take a risk on one of his injury doubts, Trevoh Chalobah, Thiago Silva and Marc Cucurella will join him.
Slowly but surely, the partnership of Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez is beginning to gel, although it arguably should at a combined cost of more than £220million. But they won’t feature alongside each other tonight at Stamford Bridge with the Argentinian another on the injury list.
Instead, expect Pochettino to deploy Conor Gallagher in a deeper role. It’s a position that the 24-year-old has already filled for the Blues this season.
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Raheem Sterling is another Chelsea player struggling with illness of late, let alone form. And it’s here where Pochettino faces his biggest selection dilemma. Cole Palmer is essentially undroppable now, but it’s a decision as to which two of Sterling, Noni Madueke and Mykhaylo Mudryk line-up alongside him.
Pochettino has consistently shown faith in Sterling, so expect the ex-England international to get the nod as he enters the last chance saloon to force his way into the England reckoning for Euro 2024. Madueke meanwhile, who scored against the Blades, has posed a more consistent threat than Mudryk.
Striker: Nicolas Jackson
Christopher Nkunku continues to flicker between signs of promise and the treatment table, with a thigh injury the latest blow to the Frenchman. It means Nicolas Jackson will continue up front, and will again look for his first goal since the 3-2 win over Newcastle on March 11.
