Champions League action returns to Stamford Bridge as Cypriot outfit Pafos make the trip to England. We have the latest Chelsea team news for the match based on the most recent press conference and will be attempting to put together a predicted lineup for this one. This is a must-win match for the Blues if they want to finish in the top eight and avoid the play-off stage with a tough clash agaisnt Napoli coming in just one week’s time.
Chelsea Team News & Predicted Lineup vs Pafos
How Chelsea Have Lined Up Recently
Rob Sanchez and Filip Jorgensen have shared goalkeeping duties with Reece James, Josh Acheampong, Trevoh Chalobah, Tosin Adarabioyo, Wes Fofana, Benoit Badiashile, Jorrel Hato, and Marc Cucurella playing in the back line. James has also played in the pivot where Andrey Santos, Moises Caicedo, and Enzo Fernandez have featured.
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Enzo has been pushed further forward recently with Cole Palmer managing his injury or moving out wide to accommodate the Argentine. Alejandro Garnacho, Estevao, and Pedro Neto have also played out wide as Jamie Gittens has missed the most recent fixtures.
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Up front, Marc Guiu, Joao Pedro, and Liam Delap have shared the striker role depending on availability and rotation.
Chelsea Recent Form & Tactics
Liam Rosenior hasn’t changed much on the surface as he still sets up in a 4-2-3-1 system with a focus on controlling possession. There are some changes in the execution as the team baits the press closer to their goal while the defensive midfield pivot sticks closer together when in-possession. The wingers are also much more direct than they were under Enzo Maresca with more license to run at their defender instead of recycling the ball.
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With two wins from three since the managerial handover, there is some optimism around the Blues right now. Particularly the win over Brentford that turned their poor league form around after a horrendous run in that competition. The defensive aspect doesn’t look good as the team continues its usual winter lapse in the back line but they have been deadly going forward, which could be enough to blow Pafos away.
Chelsea Team News
The injured list is in a state of flux with an illness running through the squad taking some names out and letting some names come back unexpectedly, according to PremierInjuries there are currently eight names unavailable but that could increase or decrease at the last minute. Currently, Enzo, Romeo Lavia, Tosin Adarabioyo, Mykhailo Mudryk, Estevao, Gittens, Levi Colwill, and Malo Gusto are expected to be unavailable.
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Chalobah has played a lot recently and could need a rest here, the same goes for Neto, everyone else has been able to rest a bit with illness or rotation taking them out of the firing line.
Chelsea Predicted Lineup
GK – Filip Jorgensen
LB – Jorrel Hato
CB – Benoit Badiashile
CB – Wes Fofana
RB – Josh Acheampong
DM – Dario Essugo
DM – Andrey Santos
W – Alejandro Garnacho
W – Jamie Gittens
AM – Jooa Pedro
ST – Marc Guiu
Featured Image Credit
IMAGO / Belga