Chelsea Team News
- Out: Reece James, N’Golo Kanté, Mason Mount, Ben Chilwell, Marc Cucurella, Armando Broja, Marcus Bettinelli
- Doubt: Kalidou Koulibaly, Mateo Kovačić
The reality of a bottom-half finish has begun to set in at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea can thankfully look toward bringing an end to what has been a horrific 2022-23 season under first-year owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali. Though mathematically in with a chance to finishing tenth should they win their remaining fixtures while Fulham fails to secure any points on offer, this season should still be viewed as a massive step backward.
Interim boss Frank Lampard, who will not be in charge after the current campaign, can still part on relatively solid terms for a second time should he guide the club to a handful of credible results, beginning with a clash against pending repeat champions Manchester City during a tough away tie at the Etihad.
The former Chelsea star is set to be without at least seven first-team figures for the jaunt up north, with Reece James, N’Golo Kanté, Mason Mount, Ben Chilwell, Marc Cucurella, Armando Broja, and Marcus Bettinelli all unfit for service. Questions also surround both Kalidou Koulibaly, and Mateo Kovačić, who face late assessments before Sunday but at the time of writing are not anticipated to be included in the selected XI. Given the list of injuries. Cobham Academy product Ruben Loftus-Cheek is expected to slot into the midfield three.
Predicted Chelsea XI
