Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca is expected to make changes for Thursday’s Conference League semi-final first leg against Djurgardens IF.
The Blues will be unable to call upon Wesley Fofana, Marc Guiu and Omari Kellyman due to injury, while Mykhaylo Mudryk remains provisionally suspended for testing positive for a banned substance.
The Chelsea medical staff will also have to assess the fitness of full-back Malo Gusto after he was forced to sit out Saturday’s 1-0 win over Everton due to a minor injury issue.
With Chelsea battling for a top-five finish, Maresca could decide to make changes for Thursday’s first leg in Sweden, as he looks to keep his squad fresh at the business end of the season.
Filip Jorgensen is likely to replace Robert Sanchez in goal, having featured in nine of the club’s 10 Conference League matches this term.
Josh Acheampong, Tosin Adarabioyo, and Benoit Badiashile could all come into the backline, while Marc Cucurella may keep his left-back spot if Gusto is unavailable for selection.
After settling for a substitute appearance at the weekend, Reece James is in contention to feature in the middle of the park alongside Conference League regular Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.
Young winger Tyrique George is pushing to start on the right flank after scoring in two of his last four competitive appearances, including a goal in the 3-0 first-leg victory over Legia Warsaw in the Conference League quarter-finals.
Cole Palmer will hope to score his first goal since January if he retains his place in the number 10 role, while Jadon Sancho is likely to offer the attacking threat from the left wing.
Rather than bringing Christopher Nkunku into the side, Maresca could be tempted to give Nicolas Jackson the chance to build upon his weekend performance after he scored his first goal in 13 Premier League matches to secure all three points in Saturday’s victory over the Toffees.
Chelsea possible starting lineup:
Jorgensen; Acheampong, Adarabioyo, Badiashile, Cucurella; James, Dewsbury-Hall; George, Palmer, Sancho; Jackson
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