There’s a peculiar sense of optimism emerging in west London, with Chelsea finishing a tumultuous 2023/24 campaign with an unwavering sense of momentum.
Less than a month on from the 5-0 drubbing they succumbed to at Arsenal, the Blues have rattled off three consecutive wins and in the hunt for a Europa League spot. They must outperform Newcastle during their final two games of the season to pip the Magpies to sixth.
Victories away from home have been hard to come by for Mauricio Pochettino’s side but they secured a rare one in some style at the weekend, fighting back from 2-1 down to beat Nottingham Forest 3-2 at the City Ground.
They’re on the road again in midweek as they travel to mid-table Brighton and here’s the team Pochettino could pick at the Amex.
Reece James had a huge impact off the bench at Nottingham Forest / Michael Regan/GettyImages
GK: Djordje Petrovic – These are surely Petrovic’s final two games as Chelsea’s starting goalkeeper with the club poised to sign a new shot-stopper this summer.
RB: Reece James – It didn’t take long for the right-back to remind us all of his crossing quality as he teed up Nicolas Jackson’s winner at Forest. Pochettino will be cautious with James but he could get 60 minutes under his belt here.
CB: Trevoh Chalobah – If James does return, there will be a reshuffle in the backline with Chalobah, who started at right-back on Saturday, drifting back into a central position.
CB: Benoit Badiashile – Badiashile could be retained over veteran Thiago Silva to ensure Pochettino has his preferred right and left-footed centre-back dynamic.
LB: Marc Cucurella – With Ben Chilwell’s knee continuing to bother him, Cucurella has enjoyed a sustained run in the side and the Spaniard should retain his place against his former club on Wednesday.
CM: Moises Caicedo – Another former Seagull returning to the Amex. This is Caicedo’s first appearance back at Brighton after he joined Chelsea for £115m in the summer.
CM: Conor Gallagher – The Blues’ reliable skipper has mitigated Enzo Fernandez’s absence rather well in recent outings.
RW: Cole Palmer – The majestic Englishman was at it again on Saturday as he teed up Mykhailo Mudryk’s opener with the most incisive of passes. Palmer constantly makes things happen for this Chelsea side.
AM: Christopher Nkunku – Nkunku’s frustrating debut season could end with a succession of cameo appearances off the bench. The Frenchman, however, will want to get another start under his belt before the campaign concludes.
LW: Raheem Sterling – It’s been a quiet end to the season for Sterling but he did have a hand in Chelsea’s comeback win at the weekend. Despite Mudryk recording his first goal contribution in ten games against Forest, Pochettino should opt for Sterling down Chelsea’s left.
ST: Nicolas Jackson – The Senegalese striker is soaring up the Golden Boot charts after scoring yet again at the weekend. Jackson’s tally for the Premier League season is up to 14 after he netted the winner at the City Ground.
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