N’Golo Kante and Jorginho are injury doubts while Romelu Lukaku should start when Chelsea take on Leeds United in the Premier League.
Chelsea will be aiming to get back to winning ways in the Premier League when they lock horns with relegation-threatened Leeds United at Elland Road on Wednesday night.
Leading up to the game, Chelsea are sweating over the availability of midfield duo N’Golo Kante and Jorginho, who are doubts for the trip to Leeds. With the FA Cup final against Liverpool coming up at the weekend, Thomas Tuchel might decide to not rush the pair back to action for the midweek fixture.
Leeds United vs Chelsea Preview: Probable Lineups, Prediction, Tactics, Team News & Key Stats
“We are fighting for Jorgi and we’re fighting for N’Golo for tomorrow, but it will be close and I don’t know if we make it,” Tuchel said in his pre-match press conference on Tuesday.
With the FA Cup final coming up, Tuchel could decide to rotate his squad heavily for the clash against Leeds United. However, there is unlikely to be a change between the sticks, with Edouard Mendy expected to start from kickoff.
The three-man backline could likely comprise Trevoh Chalobah, Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger, with Thiago Silva likely to be rested for the game. Reece James could also be held back by the Chelsea manager, considering his recent fitness problems. Instead, captain Cesar Azpilicueta could start as the right-sided wing-back.
Tuchel and Marcos Alonso were involved in a heated argument at the end of the first half against Wolves last time out. Addressing the matter in his pre-match presser, the manager said: “It started and ended in the first half, it was not continued at half-time and nothing else. Things are solved.”
However, considering that he is the first-choice option at left wing-back with Ben Chilwell ruled out, Alonso is unlikely to start against Leeds with an eye on the FA Cup final versus Liverpool. Instead, Malang Sarr could get a rare run-out in the starting XI.
With Kante and Jorginho doubts, Ruben Loftus-Cheek becomes a certain starter. He could be partnered by Saul Niguez in the middle of the park, with Mateo Kovacic likely to be protected for the cup final. Mason Mount might not be risked at Elland Road either, with Hakim Ziyech expected to start as the playmaker. Romelu Lukaku, who was on target against Wolves, should pair up with Timo Werner in attack.
Predicted Chelsea XI: Mendy, Chalobah, Christensen, Rudiger, Azpilicueta, Loftus-Cheek, Saul, Sarr, Ziyech, Lukaku, Werner.
