Heading into their sixth game of the Premier League season at home to Aston Villa, Chelsea continue to deal with somewhat of an injury crisis all over the pitch, albeit with Mauricio Pochettino confirming that several players are nearing returns to full fitness.
He has preferred to line the Blues up with a back four in recent weeks, and with captain Reece James certainly sidelined alongside Wesley Fofana, Benoit Badiashile and Trevoh Chalobah, Malo Gusto will keep his place on the right-hand side of the defence while Thiago Silva and summer signing Axel Disasi should again partner up in the centre, in front of first-choice goalkeeper Robert Sanchez.
Even if he is able to return from a brief spell on the sidelines, Marc Cucurella is unlikely to feature on Sunday as Levi Colwill and Ben Chilwell jostle to start at left-back, and the former could again get the nod after featuring in their clean sheet and goalless draw away at Bournemouth last weekend.
In midfield, Romeo Lavia's wait for a Blues debut will continue as he remains stuck in the treatment room, while Carney Chukwuemeka is also sidelined by an injury picked up in their second game of the season against West Ham United, although there is more hope around Moises Caicedo's return to contention after his brief layoff, albeit with any appearance at this stage likely being off the bench to avoid risking the Ecuadorian from the outset.
Instead, key man Enzo Fernandez could again be joined by Conor Gallagher and Lesley Ugochukwu in the midfield, while winger Noni Madueke will hope to return from his injury issues and fight for a place in the starting XI.
Indeed, summer arrival Cole Palmer was the only senior attacking back-up last weekend, and even if Madueke is deemed fit to return to the squad, we do not yet anticipate attacking changes with him and Palmer expected to wait in the wings behind the front three consisting of Mykhaylo Mudryk and Raheem Sterling either side of striker Nicolas Jackson, given the ongoing absences of Christopher Nkunku and Armando Broja.
Chelsea possible starting lineup: Sanchez; Gusto, Disasi, Silva, Colwill; Gallagher, Fernandez, Ugochukwu; Sterling, Jackson, Mudryk
Sam Varley
