Our predicted XI for last week’s game against PAOK saw us predict that Maurizio Sarri would play an almost fully rotated side, but that turned out to be wrong.
Instead the Italian went with a strong team, with only 5 changes made from the weekend before.
That means today he will surely have to go all out on changing his side for the Carabao Cup clash with Liverpool, as the team heads into it’s fourth game in two weeks.
Liverpool vs Chelsea: Pat Nevin reveals what he expects from Sarri https://t.co/HgrmEeMs0V pic.twitter.com/fSsJD88ixH
— Daily Post Nigeria (@DailyPostNGR) September 26, 2018
We could well see Willy Caballero in goal, with backup full-backs Davide Zappacosta and Emerson Palmieri almost certain to give the first choice players a break.
At centre back, with Antonio Rudiger hurt and David Luiz in need of a break, chances are we’ll see Andreas Christensen build on a good showing in Greece, alongside Gary Cahill.
That frees up Ethan Ampadu to play in midfield, with Cesc Fabregas‘ return to action coming just in time to get him a start here. There’s no question that with Ruben Loftus-Cheek not fit, Ross Barkley will get the chance to build on his really impressive form with a start.
Here's what Gianfranco Zola had to say this afternoon on returning to Chelsea, Eden Hazard reaching his potential, Callum Hudson-Odoi and the Liverpool match. #cfc https://t.co/LY7N1tXTEG
— Oliver Harbord (@ojharbord) September 25, 2018
Alvaro Morata will have to get the start up top – although one feels at this stage that he must dread playing as much as we dread watching him now. In the wide areas there are question marks though. Willian has now started three in a row, Pedro might still be struggling with the bad shoulder he picked up in Greece, and Eden Hazard should be rested whenever possible.
Could that mean an unlikely wide pair of Victor Moses and Callum Hudson-Odoi? At least one of them looks bound to start.
We’ll find out in just a few hours.
