The possible lineup for Chelsea vs Manchester City
Chelsea could be missing as many as eight players for Saturday’s Premier League match against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.
Since Thiago Silva had to leave the game in the second half of Monday’s 3-1 victory against Crystal Palace due to a groyne injury, the West Londoners are worried about Silva’s health.
Reece James, Lesley Ugochukwu, Romeo Lavia, Marc Cucurella, Robert Sanchez, Wesley Fofana (both knee), Romeo Lavia (all hamstring), and Benoit Badiashile (groyne) are all in the treatment room. Benoit Badiashile is also dealing with a month-long knee injury.
Malo Gusto, a 20-year-old right-back, is expected to stay in the starting lineup against Palace after Mauricio Pochettino allayed concerns about him suffering an injury in the final moments of the match. However, if Silva is sidelined, Levi Colwill might be called up to play alongside Axel Disasi in central defence.
Conor Gallagher, who scored twice against his old club Palace, is expected to continue playing in a midfield triumvirate with Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo. Pochettino will consider playing Cole Palmer, an ex-Man City player, as a false nine or on the right flank, where he provided two assists after switching positions in the second half of Monday’s match.
Palmer operating on the right may allow Nicolas Jackson or Christopher Nkunku to move into the centre of the attack. Jackson would probably start on the left again if the latter was included, forcing Raheem Sterling, Mykhaylo Mudryk, and Noni Madueke to settle for a spot on the bench as substitutes.
Chelsea possible starting XI: Petrovic; Gusto, Disasi, Colwill, Chilwell; Fernandez, Caicedo; Palmer, Gallagher, Jackson; Nkunku