The latest Chelsea team news, injury update and predicted XI ahead of their Premier League clash with Brentford
Chelsea are back in Premier League action on Friday night, when they take on Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium. The Blues haven’t lost away to the Bees since all the way back in 1938, and will be hopeful of maintaining that record and bagging a precious three points as they look to climb their way up the league table.
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Last time out, the Blues drew 2-2 with Hull City in a game that once again highlighted the side’s serious defensive issues, and manager Xabi Alonso will be eager to tighten things up at the back against a Brentford side who will go for the jugular from the first whistle. The last time the two sides met, back in January, Chelsea sealed a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge.
Ahead of the match, the Blues still have a number of injury concerns to deal with. Star striker Joao Pedro has been withdrawn from international duty with Brazil due to an injury which has not yet been disclosed - as a result of this, he looks certain to miss the trip to Brentford. Meanwhile, Reece James is a doubt, after not taking part in a training session earlier this week.
Four other potential absentees are Moises Caicedo, Jordan Henderson, Marco Palestra and Emmanuel Emegha. The quartet all have a chance of featuring against the Bees, but it remains to be seen whether Alonso is willing to gamble and put any of the players straight into his starting XI after significant time spent in the treatment room.
Ahead of the Blues’ eagerly anticipated clash with Brentford, we’ve had a crack at predicting the most likely starting line-up Alonso will field against Keith Andrews’ side, as Chelsea look to earn themselves a big win on the road.
Chelsea predicted XI vs Brentford - Goalkeeper and defence
Chelsea paid around £7.5m to sign Emi Martinez from Aston Villaplaceholder image
Chelsea paid around £7.5m to sign Emi Martinez from Aston Villa | AFP via Getty Images
With the often blundering Robert Sanchez now safely 750 miles away warming the bench for Serie A high fliers Como, Chelsea have installed new signing Emi Martinez as their number one. However, he’s yet to keep a clean sheet since joining from Aston Villa last month, and will be eager to get one under his belt as soon as possible.
Alonso switched to a back four against Hull City last weekend, but he could well revert to a three against an attacking Brentford side. Summer signing Maxence Lacroix looks likely to return to the starting XI, after being rested against the Tigers, having played every minute of Chelsea’s previous games this season. He could be joined by Wesley Fofana and Levi Colwill in the heart of defence.
Should Chelsea opt to play wing-backs, then Pedro Neto may continue in his new position on the right, as Alonso looks to find solutions for the wealth of wingers of the books. Palestra could make his debut, but is unlikely to start. Over on the left flank, Jorrel Hato looks set to get the nod ahead of new boy Pep Chavarria.
Will Caicedo start against Brentford?
Chelsea have sorely missed Moises Caicedo in midfield this seasonplaceholder image
Chelsea have sorely missed Moises Caicedo in midfield this season | AFP via Getty Images
Caicedo has missed a number of matches with a foot injury, which has highlighted the serious failure Chelsea made in not signing a replacement for Enzo Fernandez on Deadline Day earlier this month. Like Palestra, he may well get an outing against Brentford, but it doesn’t look like he’ll be thrust straight into the starting line-up.
Instead, Alonso will probably continue with his makeshift central midfield partnership pairing skipper Reece James - a natural right-back - with Romeo Lavia, who has overcome significant injury setbacks to become a regular starter for the Blues this season. Henderson could be in line to make his Chelsea debut from the bench at some point during the game.
While Chelsea’s defence may be struggling, their attack is looking potent, with ten goals scored in the league and a further eight netted in the Carabao Cup already this season. Dream duo Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers look set to reprise their fluid attacking midfield roles, and with Pedro set to miss the game, Danny Welbeck will be primed to come in as the starting striker.
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