Chelsea are in action once again on Wednesday night as Liam Rosenior makes his Champions League bow in a game the Blues will be expected to win against Pafos.
Rosenior has made a very solid start to life at Chelsea, after being thrown in at the deep end by Chelsea following his appointment as Enzo Maresca’s replacement. A second win in two games came on Saturday.
A 2-0 win over Brentford that saw Chelsea end their wait for a Premier League win, which had stretched to a month. Brentford largely outplayed Chelsea, but a virus-ravaged side got the result come full-time.
Now, attention switches to the Champions League with Chelsea firm favourites to beat David Luiz’s side at Stamford Bridge. But Rosenior will have to make changes again, with two likely to be largely enforced.
Discuss: Chelsea are a better side without Cole Palmer at the moment… 🫨
Chelsea with Cole Palmer, and without him this season.
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The state of the Chelsea squad after Brentford win
There are a few areas that require updating. The first being that Malo Gusto is back in training and could be in contention to get some minutes, but Tosin is likely to be rested after coming off against Brentford.
A potential hamstring injury was described as precautionary, but he won’t be risked by Rosenior with the Blues boasting adequate cover in Wesley Fofana. Then, Cole Palmer is also likely to be rested next time.
Palmer returned on Saturday after last playing against Fulham but was seen clutching his groin. Palmer didn’t look happy, according to Alan Shearer, as he trudged down the tunnel at full-time on Saturday.
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Rosenior is likely to take Palmer and Tosin out of the side, and there are likely to be other changes, too. Fringe players like £37m man Jorrel Hato, Andrey Santos, Liam Delap and others will hope to get a game.
Five changes as Liam Rosenior picks XI to face Pafos
We at The Chelsea Chronicle predict Rosenior to make five changes. Joining Palmer and Tosin in missing the game against Pafos include Reece James, who is likely to be kept fresh for Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Then, there is Joao Pedro, who starred against Brentford. Liam Delap is likely to be given a go, who was back from illness and Jamie Gittens should also return after his illness. He could get a go on the right.
Which changes would YOU make to face Pafos? 🖋️
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This is the perfect kind of game for a player like Gittens, lacking in confidence but eager to show his new manager what he can do. The £55m signing from Dortmund starred against Charlton in Rosenior’s first.
Five changes then, as Robert Sanchez, Acheampong, Trevoh Chalobah, Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez and Pedro Neto remain. In come Fofana, Hato, Santos, Gittens and Delap to take on Pafos on Wednesday.
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