Chelsea take on Brighton at the Amex Stadium this evening in an enormous Premier League fixture for the Blues but Liam Rosenior has been handed a big injury blow
Cole Palmer has not travelled down to Brighton for Chelsea’s Premier League clash with Brighton this evening due to a hamstring injury.
The Blues are in desperate need of a win at the Amex Stadium to keep their slim Champions League qualification hopes alive. Liverpool moved seven points ahead of Chelsea with their win over Everton on Sunday afternoon, less than 24 hours after Manchester United beat the Blues by a goal to nil at Stamford Bridge.
A disappointing weekend puts more emphasis on Chelsea securing three points tonight. However, Liam Rosenior will have to do that without Palmer, who has not travelled down to the south coast due to a hamstring injury.
FOLLOW OUR CHELSEA FB PAGE! Latest Blues news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page
FOLLOW LIVE COVERAGE OF BRIGHTON VS CHELSEA HERE!
Speaking earlier this month, Palmer said he had “turned a corner” regarding his fitness. The 23-year-old, who has only 10 goals in all competitions for the west Londoners this season, has been struggling with a complex groin injury for the majority of the campaign.
When asked by football.london if he agreed that Palmer had turned a corner, Rosenior said: “If Cole feels that, that is great. Cole, as I’ve said many times before, is a top player who’s gone through a really difficult period in terms of injury, in terms of the amount of games he’s had.
“What I’m seeing in Cole now is a brightness, a freshness, and hopefully he can maintain that between now and the end of the season.”
Joao Pedro remains absent with a thigh injury after the former Brighton forward missed Saturday’s defeat to Man United. It looks like a back three/back five, with Trevoh Chalobah returning to the side alongside fellow central defenders Wesley Fofana and Jorrel Hato.
Romeo Lavia comes back into the side. Pedro Neto looks as if he is going to play just off No.9 Liam Delap at the Amex.
Chelsea XI vs Brighton: Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Chalobah, Hato, Cucurella; Caicedo, Lavia, Fernandez; Neto, Delap
