Chelsea will face off against Bournemouth in a highly anticipated Premier League match tonight, with all eyes on Jadon Sancho as he hopes to make his debut for the Blues. As the teams gear up for the clash, there are key updates on the team news, predicted lineup, and injuries that will impact the game.
In the Chelsea squad, there is a dilemma at right-back as both Malo Gusto and Reece James are set to miss the trip to the south coast. Gusto sustained an injury in the recent 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace and subsequently had to withdraw from France Under-21 duty. On the other hand, James has been dealing with a hamstring problem while serving a suspension carried over from last season. Chelsea’s captain will need more time before being considered for selection, with Gusto also ruled out for the upcoming game.
Reports have suggested that Moises Caicedo could potentially be utilized at right-back in the absence of Gusto and James. Caicedo has experience in this position from his time at Brighton and also played there in the final pre-season game against Inter Milan. Another option for Maresca could be Axel Disasi, who filled in on the right regularly last season.
Romeo Lavia is another player who will not be available for the game against Bournemouth, having missed the recent matches against Wolves and Crystal Palace. However, Sancho, who completed his loan move from Manchester United late on transfer deadline day, has had a full week of training and is impressing his new head coach during the absence of his teammates on international duty.
Noni Madueke’s impressive performances at the start of the season are likely to see him continue on the right flank, with Pedro Neto, Joao Felix, and Mykhailo Mudryk competing for the left-wing role. Christoper Nkunku is also in contention for a starting spot in the lineup.
Cole Palmer, who withdrew from international duty ahead of England’s recent games, is expected to be available for the clash against Bournemouth. The 22-year-old was left out of Chelsea’s Europa Conference League squad to manage his workload but is not a doubt for the upcoming match.
In terms of the predicted lineup for Chelsea, the XI to face Bournemouth could potentially include Sanchez, Disasi, Fofana, Colwill, Cucurella, Caicedo, Fernandez, Madueke, Palmer, Neto, and Jackson. This lineup showcases the depth and versatility of the Chelsea squad as they aim for a strong performance against Bournemouth.
The match between Bournemouth and Chelsea is scheduled to kick off at 8pm on Saturday, with live coverage available on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event. Viewers can also stream the game live on the Sky Go app for an enhanced viewing experience.
As the excitement builds for the showdown between Bournemouth and Chelsea, fans are eager to see how the teams will perform and who will come out on top in this crucial Premier League encounter. Stay tuned for all the action and updates as the two sides battle it out on the field.