We are now halfway into the final international break of the 2023/24 season. For Chelsea, they headed into the two-week stoppage in rather strong form.
Since the Blues’ defeat at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers at the beginning of last month, a period that stretches to eight matches, Mauricio Pochettino’s side have lost just once. And that was after extra-time. So Chelsea have not lost in normal time since February 4.
Pochettino has, for the time being at the very least, eased some of the pressure on his back. There are, though, still plenty of supporters who have seen enough of the Argentine and want him gone immediately. The club’s plan, however, as it always has been, is to assess his situation at the end of the campaign, football.london understands.
Burnley await next weekend at Stamford Bridge but before that, the majority of the Chelsea squad are out on international duty with their respective countries. Meanwhile, there are numerous players who remain at Cobham and are training with Pochettino and his assistant Jesus Perez.
Pochettino will be hoping those out on international duty will return to the club injury-free, with a lot of players still sidelined through fitness problems. If that is the case, then Chelsea will have a very strong squad for when Burnley come to west London at the end of the month.
The goalkeepers choose themselves, really, with Djordje Petrovic and Robert Sanchez likely to be the two shot-stoppers Pochettino will choose from. Petrovic has been the head coach’s go-to man in Premier League matches, so the Serbian is expected to remain in goal against the Clarets.
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Ben Chilwell and Benoit Badiashile were both named in Chelsea’s squad that beat Leicester City last time out. Chilwell is at St. George’s Park training with the England squad, while Badiashile has remained at Cobham during the break.
Marc Cucurella has been impressive on the left-hand side of defence in Chilwell’s absence so it will be interesting to see whether Pochettino changes his selection in that regard.
Axel Disasi, Trevoh Chalobah and Thiago Silva have all been working at Chelsea’s training complex in recent days while their teammates have been all around the world.
In midfield, Pochettino is likely to pick five in the matchday squad, with a number of them being able to occupy more than one position. The likes of Cesare Casadei, Carney Chukwuemeka and Conor Gallagher can all play in a deeper role but are often used a few yards further up the field.
In attack, it seems fairly straightforward, barring any injuries. Christopher Nkunku remains sidelined, meaning Cole Palmer, Mykhailo Mudryk, Raheem Sterling, Noni Madueke and Nicolas Jackson are likely to be picked.
Goalkeepers: Djordje Petrovic, Robert Sanchez
Defenders: Thiago Silva, Malo Gusto, Benoit Badiashile, Axel Disasi, Ben Chilwell, Marc Cucurella, Trevoh Chalobah, Alfie Gilchrist
Midfielders: Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo, Conor Gallagher, Carney Chukwuemeka, Cesare Casadei
Attackers: Cole Palmer, Mykhailo Mudryk, Raheem Sterling, Noni Madueke, Nicolas Jackson
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