Our Chelsea writers discuss and debate the line-up they would choose for this evening’s Premier League trip to Brighton
If you thought Saturday evening’s clash with Manchester United was a must-win for Chelsea, then this one definitely is. The Blues ended up being beaten 1-0 by the Red Devils at Stamford Bridge in another massively disappointing result for Liam Rosenior and his players.
Liverpool’s win on Sunday afternoon means last season’s champions, who are fifth in the table as it stands, are now seven points ahead of Chelsea. The Blues can close that gap to four with a win in Brighton tomorrow evening, though Liverpool play their game in hand on Saturday afternoon at home to Crystal Palace.
Chelsea are without a goal in their last four league matches and Rosenior needs to somehow find a solution as the toothless Blues look to rediscover their killer touch in the final third. That could impact his team selection on Tuesday.
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With that being said, Bobby Vincent and Jake Stokes discuss and debate what they would do regarding the XI if they were in Rosenior’s shoes.
Bobby Vincent
Robert Sanchez, of course, to continue in goal. Up against his former club, one of four Chelsea players I would choose who are in the same situation, it could be a busy evening for the Spanish goalkeeper down at the Amex Stadium.
At right-back, I would continue with Malo Gusto as captain Reece James remains out with an injury. Wesley Fofana should be dropped, or rested – depending on how you want to look at it – from the back four with Trevoh Chalobah returning to fitness.
The ever-improving Jorrel Hato should start alongside Chalobah, with another former Brighton man Marc Cucurella on the left-hand side. Ex-Seagull Moises Caicedo should captain the side, anchoring the midfield alongside Romeo Lavia down on the south coast.
Cole Palmer should start on the right-hand side, with Chelsea needing him to kick into life at some point, Enzo Fernandez in the No.10 role and Pedro Neto, the Blues’ most impressive attacker against Man United, on the left wing.
Alejandro Garnacho did not impress when coming on in the first half against his former club on Saturday and should remain on the bench for this one. Fitness-permitting, Joao Pedro, the fourth former Brighton man, has to start to give Chelsea the best opportunity to win such a significant match.
Bobby’s XI: Sanchez; Gusto, Chalobah, Hato, Cucurella; Lavia, Caicedo; Palmer, Fernandez, Neto; Joao Pedro
Jake Stokes
Rosenior could welcome a couple of big names back into the starting lineup on Tuesday night, giving Chelsea the boost they need to finally turn things around. Although the Blues boss doesn’t have much of a choice, Sanchez should remain between the sticks – he’ll be key at the Amex.
Chelsea only really need to make one change to the backline when they face Brighton. Chalobah should reunite with Fofana at centre-half, but that shouldn’t come at the expense of Hato, who’s been one of the very few players to actually impress over the last month or so.
Rosenior should also pack out the middle of the park, putting Caicedo and Andrey Santos in the pivot, with Fernandez slightly more advanced. Chelsea have conceded far too many goals recently, so they’ll need to be compact and control the game.
Palmer and Neto should be deployed on the right and left wing, respectively, with Joao Pedro up top, assuming he passes the late fitness test. Garnacho was really disappointing at the weekend, so I’d like at least one of Jesse Derry or Ryan Kavuma-McQueen on the bench.
Jake’s XI: Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Chalobah, Hato; Caicedo, Santos; Palmer, Fernandez, Neto; Joao Pedro.
