Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino is expected to go brutal in his starting line-up in the must-win game against Brighton and Hove Albion on Wednesday night.
The Chelsea manager can not experiment with his team given the difficult start to the campaign. He is likely to go with a strong team as he looks for a win that brings the club back on track after back-to-back defeats at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League.
Chelsea’s defeat to Aston Villa meant their start to the league season is the worst they have had since 1978 and Pochettino will be hoping an unlikely win against Roberto De Zerbi’s team will be enough to ease the pressure valves at Stamford Bridge.
The Chelsea manager called on his players to grow up given they have the youngest team in the Premier League with an average age of 23.5 after the weekend’s defeat.
He told reporters after the game: “We need to grow up as a team, not only in an individual way. A player like Nicolas is so young and is feeling his way into the Premier League and learning. He needs time, and in this type of game, we are competing and want to win.”
There are signs that the team is playing well with chance creation high and new signings beginning to look comfortable. Robert Sanchez was brilliant with great saves from Lucas Digne and Nicolò Zaniolo even though he would be disappointed with Ollie Watkin’s goal.
So with everything in mind, here is how we expect them to line up for the game:
1. Robert Sanchez 4.5
Incredibly unlucky not to concede after gifting Joao Pedro the ball. Looked nervous when playing out from the back. Great save in the second half.
2. Cole Palmer- 6
Started in the No 10 role and even though he showed flashes of brilliance, he just did not get going before a brilliant assist saved the day.
3. Nicolas Jackson-7
Uses so much energy in winning the ball back and when he got into the critical area he just could not master the energy to finish. Smart strike for his goal.
4. Marc Cucurella-6
Was paired against the electric Mitoma. Held his own for the majority of the game even if he did not attack as much he would have liked.