Maxence Lacroix will return to the Chelsea starting lineup when they take on Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium on Friday.
Chelsea will be eager to return to winning ways and breach the top four of the Premier League when they lock horns with Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium on Friday night. Xabi Alonso has no new issues to worry about ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
There have been concerns about Joao Pedro’s fitness after he pulled out of Brazil’s squad for the upcoming international break. However, the 24-year-old may be available to take on Brentford this weekend, even though he missed training on Thursday.
Reece James also missed training on Thursday, but the skipper, alongside Moises Caicedo, Marco Palestra, and Jordan Henderson, faces late fitness test to determine his availability. Meanwhile, during his pre-match press conference, Alonso discussed the fitness of Joao Pedro, Moises Caicedo, and Reece James, among others.
The Chelsea manager said, “In terms of injuries and in terms of the squad we are having the last training session tomorrow so no-one is ruled out for us for Friday. So I prefer to be cautious and we will wait until tomorrow to take the final decision on every player. We will see tomorrow if Joao is ready to play, it’s a possibility.”
“For Reece, it was just a decision for Tuesday and we see his development and tomorrow we will decide. He [Caicedo] is getting closer and tomorrow we will take the final decision on the team and on the squad that is coming to Brentford. Tomorrow is the final decision. Sorry to repeat myself, but before the players know we need to assess all the positions with the last training and tomorrow we will make the decision for the game in Brentford.”
Emiliano Martinez is an automatic pick between the sticks, with Chelsea lining up in a 3-4-2-1 formation in front of him against Brentford on Friday. The backline will feature Wesley Fofana, Maxence Lacroix, and Levi Colwill. Meanwhile, Pedro Neto and Jorrel Hato should be the two wing-backs.
As for the midfield unit, Reece James should join Romeo Lavia in the double pivot in the middle of the park if he is fit and ready to start. Finally, Joao Pedro will lead the line for the away side, with Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers completing the numbers in the offensive trifecta. However, Danny Welbeck will be waiting in the wings if the Brazilian is not ready to feature from the get-go.
Predicted Chelsea XI: Martinez; Fofana, Lacroix, Colwill; Neto, James, Lavia, Hato; Palmer, Rogers; Joao Pedro
