Mauricio Pochettino hints of change in system after double nightmare situation ahead of Fulham

Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino says his team must ‘adapt’ as they will be missing striker Nicolas Jackson for the first time this season.

The 22-year-old forward picked up his fifth yellow card of the season in the game against Aston Villa, which could mean a change of system for Chelsea for the first time this season and Pochettino admits he’ll either play with another striker, a hurried start for Armando Broja or attempt a false nine which could mean Raheem Sterling.

The Chelsea boss said: “The most important thing is to adapt, the squad needs to find a way to perform, that is the most important [thing]. We can play with one striker or maybe we can play without a striker. I think it is still a few days and I need to see and assess the squad about this situation.”

There is more injury news too with the latest injury blow to Ben Chilwell likely to rule him out for almost four weeks. The Chelsea assistant captain returned to the starting line-up but limped out late against Brighton with what looked like a harmless injury- before first scans revealed deeper damage.

The Chelsea boss told reporters ahead of the weekend that the England left-back will miss the game against Fulham and will need further assessment to determine the exact time scale.

He added: “Yes [it’s the same leg as last season]. I think so. It’s the mechanism of the action. He was a little bit unlucky in the way he suffered the injury. It’s very sad because he was playing a very good game.

“It’s difficult to know. We need to assess in the next few days. The club will communicate.”

Chelsea manager Pochettino has failed to win any of his last 14 away games in the league counting from his time at Tottenham and will be desperate to build on their mood-boosting win against Brighton in the League Cup on Wednesday.