Mauricio Pochettino will once again be forced into Chelsea changes when his side face Luton Town in the Premier League at Stamford Bridge on Friday night.
Chelsea head into their third Premier League fixture of the season still in search of their first win of 2023/24. Mauricio Pochettino’s side have shown some positive aspects to their play but have managed just one point from their opening two matches of the season.
The Blues head coach was forced to make one change heading into the game against West Ham, after Reece James got injured in training in the build up to the clash. Carney Chukwuemeka’s injury against the Irons will ensure that at least one more comes against Luton Town at Stamford Bridge on Friday night.
Pochettino will hope any changes can help inspire more fortune in front of goal to help secure three points against the Hatters, who will have had the best part of two weeks to prepare for Chelsea, after seeing their match with Burnley postponed until Kenilworth Road can meet Premier League requirements.
Change in defence
Chelsea’s opening two matches have seen Axel Disasi, Thiago Silva and Levi Colwill all start at the base of the Blues’ defence, after a pre-season focused predominantly on two central defenders, with Chelsea’s midfield dropping in to help build up play.
The west London side perhaps lacked the requisite talent and numbers moving forward on occasion against West Ham to break the home side down at the London Stadium, and as such Pochettino may look utilise a more attacking set-up. That would see one of the defensive trio make way, with Malo Gusto and Ben Chilwell still likely to start.
Disasi had some difficult moments against the Hammers so could be the figure to miss out, though the Blues’ head coach will be left with a difficult decision as to whether Silva can operate effectively in a back four. Colwill is still finding his way this season too, but has plenty to offer in his side’s build up play. Trevoh Chalobah and Benoit Badiashile are yet to be fit enough to challenge the defensive lineup to have more than one alteration due to a slight change in shape.
Moises Caicedo did not enjoy the most successful Chelsea debut but could take to the pitch from the off against Luton. Chelsea’s statement signing looks set to mesh well with Enzo Fernandez and will have lofty expectations once he has become accustomed to Pochettino’s system.
Romeo Lavia could also come into focus should there be an emphasis on the Blues midfield to claim the ball in the heart of defence but with both new signings perhaps still building up to fitness, the former Man City and Southampton teenager could be more suitable to replace the Ecuador international later in the game.
Chukwuemeka’s injury leaves room for another member of Chelsea’s squad to come into the side, with Mykhailo Mudryk having been the go-to option in the opening games so far. However, the Ukraine international was missing from training on Wednesday.
The change in shape would allow for Chelsea to feature another winger of sorts to feature ahead of Chilwell and Ian Maatsen showed proficiency at providing a versatile service in the role in pre-season. The Dutchman was able to provide an outlet out wide but also cutting inside to provide support and partnering with Nicolas Jackson, and could be tasked with doing so to combine with the Blues’ vice captain.
The former Burnley loanee could also take the No. 10 role, but should he play out wide it could leave Conor Gallagher in place to have an impact from a more advanced position. The Cobham product has done well in an unnatural role at the base of midfield so far in 2023/24 but could look to add some attacking threat to Chelsea’s forward positions.
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