Chelsea predicted starting line-up vs Brentford as James news delivered and Mudryk move awaits
Chelsea face Brentford in the early kick-off on Saturday afternoon at Stamford Bridge and Mauricio Pochettino will be tasked with the decision of whether to stick with the same team that pushed Arsenal seven days ago
Mauricio Pochettino will be tasked with deciding whether to name the same team that outplayed Arsenal for the opening half at Stamford Bridge last week, or reintroducing some returning stars for the visit of Brentford. Chelsea will be hoping to find their second Premier League home win of the season on Saturday afternoon.
The Blues boss has already confirmed that there will be no Armando Broja among his ranks, and that Reece James is only fit enough to make a contribution from the bench. We still await how the likes of Benoit Badiashile, Nicolas Jackson and Axel Disasi have progressed having been among the substitutes against the Gunners seven days ago.
One revelation on Friday was that Christopher Nkunku could soon be among Chelsea's squad numbers, though this weekend still remains too soon. The Frenchman could make his return to the group following the next international break.
Pochettino said: "I think he was the player, when you see the goals scored last season, he is a player that can provide goals and I think we are missing goals. That is why always we think it's a player that can be important for us. He proved he can score goals in a league like Bundesliga, and we have a different offensive player, today with maybe 8-10 goals from Nkunku this situation is completely different because they are the goals we are missing to be in a different position. Yes, unlucky but we cannot complain, we need to work, and things can happen. Moving forward to recover him and to see if it is possible to help the team score more goals and to be in a different position in the table."
For now, the 51-year-old will have to accommodate a number of inform forwards in the shape of Raheem Sterling, Mykhailo Mudryk and Cole Palmer, with one likely dropping out should Pochettino hope to play an out-and-out striker against the Bees. An option that could prove tempting.
READ MORE: Every word Mauricio Pochettino said on Nkunku return, Chelsea transfer plan and Brentford
READ MORE: Chelsea make key Mauricio Pochettino decision as January striker transfer plan becomes clearer
football.london takes a look at the team Pochettino could name for the clash.
Robert Sanchez
The Spanish goalkeeper didn't have the most convincing outing against Arsenal but remains set to start in goal against Brentford.
(Image: Justin Tallis/AFP/Getty Images)1 of 11Malo Gusto
With Reece James only fit enough for the bench, Gusto is the obvious option to fill the right back role.
(Image: Robin Jones/Getty Images)2 of 11Axel Disasi
Should he be fit enough to start, the French defender has proved a dependable and trusted option for Mauricio Pochettino this season.
(Image: Chris Lee)3 of 11Thiago Silva
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The veteran defender put in a solid display against the Gunners and will likely continue his role in the centre of defence as Pochettino returns to his consistent backline. Will probably receive a rest against Blackburn
(Image: Michael Regan/Getty Images)4 of 11Levi Colwill
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The England international is rated as highly as a left back as a central defender and could move back out to the position he has featured in most prominently. Marc Cucurella's good form sees him unlucky to miss out.
(Image: Jacques Feeney/Offside via Getty Images)5 of 11
