How Chelsea could line up against Arsenal with Cole Palmer starting
Chelsea head coach Mauricio Pochettino could be working around another double-figure list of absentees for Saturday’s visit of Arsenal in the Premier League.
The Blues will be boosted by the return of Malo Gusto from suspension, but all of Wesley Fofana (knee), Christopher Nkunku (knee), Ben Chilwell (thigh), Romeo Lavia (ankle), Trevoh Chalobah (thigh) and Carney Chukwuemeka (knee) are guaranteed to miss out.
In addition, Nicolas Jackson (wrist), Armando Broja (unspecified), Axel Disasi (thigh), Cole Palmer (thigh) have emerged as doubts over the international break, while Marcus Bettinelli (knee), Reece James (knee) and Benoit Badiashile (thigh) will require once-overs.
While James has been seen on the training pitches, Pochettino may avoid risking his captain with Gusto now good to go, while Levi Colwill is in line for another start at left-back after making his England debut on that side against Australia.
Disasi’s quadriceps strain could clear up in time for the Frenchman to partner Thiago Silva in front of Robert Sanchez, while Conor Gallagher’s spot in midfield is not under any threat.
Both Enzo Fernandez and former Arsenal target Moises Caicedo have made long journeys home from South America, but the duo should link arms with Gallagher in an unchanged trident regardless.
Jackson’s wrist surgery is not expected to hinder his availability either, so the Senegal striker could now come back into the starting lineup at the expense of Broja, who suffered a setback on international duty.
Palmer and Raheem Sterling – two of the stars of the show against Burnley – will be Pochettino’s first picks to join Jackson in attack, but Mykhaylo Mudryk and Noni Madueke could battle to deputise for the former if need be.
Chelsea possible starting lineup: Sanchez; Gusto, Disasi, Silva, Colwill; Fernandez, Caicedo, Gallagher; Palmer, Jackson, Sterling