Chelsea news as Mauricio Pochettino deals with a number of issues as the Blues travel to Wolves on Christmas Eve.
For Chelsea and Mauricio Pochettino, that’s one step forward and still many steps back. Despite the fact that after a difficult November and early December, results have essentially stabilized, the Blues are still under a lot of pressure to deal Wolves holiday injuries.
Chelsea must produce consistent results in the upcoming weeks, as the gap between them and eighth-place Manchester United and ninth-place Brighton is already five points as of the start of the game. Throughout this time, the schedule has also been kind to them.
In theory, the impending opposition is far less frightening than it could have been, despite the fact that they will have two fewer days to get ready for the encounter with Crystal Palace on December 27. However, Pochettino will contend that even with these unfavorable circumstances, his team is still losing players like fleas.
The absence of Reece James is expected to last for at least four months, if not longer. Robert Sanchez, the team’s first choice goalkeeper, is not expected to return for some time, and Ben Chilwell is still out. Trevoh Chalobah is nowhere to be seen, Marc Cucurella underwent a procedure that will keep him out for some time, and Carney Chukwuemeka hasn’t played since the second week of the season.
When you consider all of the unknowns, it’s understandable why Pochettino would play down the likelihood that his team wins easily for the third time in a row on Sunday. Since he last started a game on October 28, Noni Madueke has not been included in the matchday squad for three weeks. It is unknown whether he is fit and ready for action.
There aren’t enough fully healthy senior midfield players available at this time, as Enzo Fernandez has also been sidelined. Lesley Ugochukwu has returned to team practice but hasn’t played since the match against Newcastle. Alex Matos will probably take his place in the team at Molineux once more.
Pochettino praised the teenager highly and might need to add more young players to his squad. Leo Castledine might also be included. However, Matos has already transitioned into senior football. “His character and personality are always so focused,” Pochettino said prior to Newcastle’s midweek defeat.
“He has talent and potential, of course. His attention to detail in everything has truly impressed me. He’s very intelligent; he never stops observing and grinning. “It’s difficult to compete with the first-team players,” the 51-year-old continued. But he’s strong and fiercely competitive. He’ll grin at you and kick you. Having a profile like this is nice. I’m content with him. All of the teams in the academy have a ton of incredible talent.”
Maybe he will be part of the team after almost six months. He is improving, but he still needs more time to reach his peak performance. He is exerting himself because he is eager to make his debut. However, I want to be clear that the players who have taken a significant break from the competition are incredibly eager to participate.
“But they are unable to make the error. They may be involved, but to what extent? What kind of form? To what extent? Saying “I want to play” is simple, but we are in a competitive environment. There is real competition in this. After six months, they must realize that they must be involved and train extremely hard every day, just like Nkunku and him [Lavia].
Every time they step onto the pitch, they have to make an impression. It’s not like we’re in a preseason game and they step onto the field, and we say, ‘If they do well, then no problem.’ Because we have six months.”
Pochettino didn’t reveal much about the team, but he did not stop expressing his annoyance at the truth about his team’s fitness. It leaves in place a squad that is probably not too dissimilar from the one that faced the Toon. Marcus Bettinelli was involved once again, so there could be two goalkeepers named on the bench, but Lavia’s inclusion can be altered in order to create more room.
Goalkeepers: Lucas Bergstrom, Djordje Petrovic
Defenders: Ian Maatsen, Benoit Badiashile, Alfie Gilchrist, Thiago Silva, Axel Disasi, Levi Colwill, and Malo Gusto
Conor Gallagher, Moises Caicedo, Alex Matos, Romeo Lavia, and Leo Castledine are midfielders.
Attackers: Christopher Nkunku, Mykhailo Mudryk, Armando Broja, Nicolas Jackson, Cole Palmer, and Raheem Sterling