Carney Chukwuemeka’s return to full training offers some relief to Mauricio Pochettino, who continues to grapple with significant selection challenges in anticipation of their upcoming match against Fulham on Monday night.
The 19-year-old prodigy is now back in action following a knee injury sustained during Chelsea’s second Premier League encounter in August, against West Ham.
However, Pochettino is still grappling with the absence of ten players due to various issues. Ben Chilwell recently picked up a hamstring injury during the midweek Carabao Cup victory over Brighton, adding to the mounting concerns. He now joins a growing list of sidelined players, including Reece James, Christopher Nkunku, Romeo Lavia, Benoit Badiashile, Trevoh Chalobah, Wesley Fofana, and Marcus Bettinelli, all receiving treatment.
Additionally, Nicolas Jackson is serving a one-game suspension after accumulating his fifth yellow card during the 1-0 loss to Aston Villa on Sunday. Meanwhile, Malo Gusto, who was also sent off last weekend, will sit out the second match of his three-game ban on Monday. In light of these absences, Cole Palmer may step in to replace Jackson in a reshuffled forward line, as Armando Broja’s fitness is in doubt following his recent return from a lengthy injury hiatus.
The attacking setup may feature Raheem Sterling in a false 9 role, flanked by Palmer, Enzo Fernandez, and Mykhailo Mudryk.
In midfield, Moises Caicedo and Conor Gallagher are expected to serve as the two holding midfielders, while Marc Cucurella is poised to make his Premier League debut this season as part of the back four.
Pochettino faces a decision regarding Chilwell’s replacement, with options including Marc Cucurella or Ian Maatsen. Axel Disasi might fill in at right-back, while Thiago Silva and Levi Colwill are likely to form the central defensive pairing in front of Robert Sanchez.
Predicted Starting XI: Sanchez; Disasi, Thiago Silva, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Gallagher; Palmer, Enzo, Mudryk; Sterling.