Chelsea will be desperate to return to winning ways when they lock horns with Fulham at Craven Cottage on Wednesday night. Calum McFarlane, who will be in the dugout this week before new head coach Liam Rosenior takes over at the weekend, has received positive updates on the team news front ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Moises Caicedo is available after serving a suspension in the game against Manchester City. Meanwhile, Robert Sanchez (muscular), Wesley Fofana (illness), and Marc Cucurella (hamstring) are closing in on returning from their short layoffs. They face late fitness tests to determine their availability.
However, Levi Colwill (knee), Dario Essugo (hamstring), and Romeo Lavia (thigh) remain in the treatment room. Additionally, Mykhailo Mudryk continues to serve his doping ban. Meanwhile, during his pre-match press conference, McFarlane provided fitness updates on Sanchez, Fofana, and Cucurella.
Chelsea’s caretaker boss said, “Yes, they [Sanchez, Cucurella and Caicedo] are all training today. We are training in a few hours, and they will all be taking part in the session today. We will have a better idea [on availability] after the session.”
“But at this point, nobody is ruled out. We will look at training, see how the guys look [after the session] and then make a call after that. On Wes, he will be checked today when he comes in. The lads are reporting [to Cobham] shortly, so he will be checked then.”
Filip Jorgensen will continue between the sticks if Robert Sanchez is not fit and available, with Chelsea lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of him against Fulham on Wednesday. The backline will feature Reece James, Trevoh Chalobah, Benoit Badiashile, and Malo Gusto. Wesley Fofana will feature in place of Badiashile if he is ready to start, with Cucurella taking Gusto’s spot if he is available.
As for the midfield unit, Moises Caicedo will pair up with Enzo Fernandez in the double pivot. Cola Palmer will reprise the no. 10 role, with Estevao Willian and Pedro Neto being the two wide attackers. Finally, Joao Pedro will lead the line for the away side against Fulham. So, Alejandro Garnacho and Liam Delap will be backup options on the bench for the Blues.
Predicted Chelsea XI: Jorgensen; James, Chalobah, Badiashile, Gusto; Caicedo, Fernandez; Estevao, Palmer, Neto; Joao Pedro
