Enzo Maresca has hinted Andrey Santos and Jorrel Hato will get chances for minutes soon as the Blues prepare for the visit of Everton.
Chelsea take on the Toffees at Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon in desperate need of a win having not won in their last four matches.
The Blues haven’t won since they beat Barcelona in the Champions League last month, and have now dropped to fifth in the league.
Enzo Maresca on Andrey Santos and Jorrel Hato
Everton have won four of their last five games, and sit seventh just a point behind the Blues, but haven’t won at Stamford Bridge since 1994.
Maresca confirmed Wesley Fofana is fit and available having gone off with an eye problem against Atalanta, which is a huge boost.
Cole Palmer is also available having been rested against Atalanta, and Maresca will likely make changes to the team as has often been the case this season.
Andrey Santos in action against Burnley.
Santos has featured in Chelsea’s last two games. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images.)
Moises Caicedo will serve the final game of his ban, which means there could be an opportunity for Santos, who surprisingly hasn’t featured in the last two games.
Marc Cucurella is looking tired, but Hato hasn’t played many minutes recently, and Maresca confirmed before the game the pair will hopefully get opportunities soon.
“I said already many times, they work every day to play games,” he told his pre-match press conference.
“Now, Atalanta game, Enzo [Fernandez], Marc [Cucurella], as you said, they are playing many games. It’s normal that the level cannot be always the same, but I don’t have a doubt that Andrey is going to have his chance.
“Jorrel, exactly the same. And hopefully tomorrow or soon we can give them some chances.”
Chelsea face crucial run of games
Everton is the first of three huge games coming up with Newcastle and Aston Villa next, whilst the Blues also have a Carabao Cup quarter final against Cardiff next week.
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Reece James applauds the Chelsea fans.
Florian Plettenberg reports from a training ground.
Cole Palmer looks frustrated.
Chelsea need to stop the rot as quickly possible, as they don’t want to start losing touch with the top four, and more dropped points could see them drop further down the table.
The Blues have certainly got the quality and desperately need the three points to stop their season from unravelling in front of them.