Dream Chelsea lineup vs Fulham as Mauricio Pochettino makes Cole Palmer and Ian Maatsen decision.
Mauricio Pochettino has some big decisions to make ahead of Chelsea’s clash against Fulham with Cole Palmer potentially making his full Premier League debut for the Blues.
Mauricio Pochettino has some big decisions ahead of him for Chelsea’s Premier League trip to west London rivals Fulham on Monday. Fresh off the back of a much-needed win against Brighton earlier in the week, the Argentine head coach is now tasked with trying to build some momentum within this struggling Blues squad.
Pochettino was in a very pleasant mood as he spoke to the media at Cobham on Friday afternoon – the feeling a rare win gives you. He will be hoping to share similar spirits on Tuesday morning, with his Chelsea side going head-to-head with Fulham at Craven Cottage on Monday.
Before that, Pochettino is tasked with some big decisions regarding his team selection. While Carney Chukwuemeka is close to returning, Ben Chilwell is now set for a spell on the sidelines.
Chilwell came off in the final minutes of Chelsea’s Carabao Cup win versus Brighton and the early indications are that it is not good news for the Blues vice-captain. Left-back, though, is one area in particular where the club are well stocked.
Ian Maatsen should come in for Chilwell after an impressive performance on Wednesday. Albeit Maatsen was playing in a more advanced position than his natural left-back, but either way the Dutchman did enough to start against Fulham.
Axel Disasi looks set to start at right-back with Malo Gusto and Reece James out, while Levi Colwill could move centrally to partner Thiago Silva. Robert Sanchez, of course, keeps his place in goal.
A double pivot of Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez is something Chelsea supporters have been dying to see ever since the former signed in the summer. Enzo has been playing in a more advanced role, but his form recently has not been up to his usual high standards, so maybe a change of position is on the cards?
That would allow an extra attacker, too, and Cole Palmer could make his full Premier League debut for the Blues. Palmer was superb in Chelsea’s win against Brighton and Pochettino spoke in detail about how impressed he has been with the England Under-21s international since he has made the move to Stamford Bridge.
Noni Madueke and Chukwuemeka could both return to the squad but are unlikely to be called upon from the start. Instead, he could play Raheem Sterling on the right and continue to persist with Mykhailo Mudryk on the opposite flank as he looks to instil confidence in the Ukraine international.
Nicolas Jackson will serve his one-match ban on Monday night. Chelsea do not have too many options but if they wanted to play with a natural centre-forward, then Armando Broja will return to the starting XI for the first time this season.
Dream Chelsea lineup: Sanchez, Disasi, Silva, Colwill, Maatsen, Caicedo, Enzo, Sterling, Palmer, Mudryk, Broja
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