Chelsea will be looking to bounce back from a 1-0 defeat in the EFL Cup semi-final first leg against Championship side Middlesbrough at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday.
Hayden Hackney’s 37th-minute goal put Michael Carrick’s side ahead in the second leg, with Cole Palmer missing several chances to equalize for the Blues, says Edmund Breck.
The west London side beat Fulham 1-0 on Saturday – Palmer’s penalty sealed victory before half-time – and head into the Premier League break this weekend.
Mauricio Pochettino could be ready to improve his fitness for the match against Middlesbrough’s Christopher Nkunku, who is hoping to return to training.
The French striker has made four league appearances for the Blues since joining from RB Leipzig. He originally signed last January and spent the second half of the season with the Bundesliga side.
Romeo Lavia, Robert Sanchez, Rhys James and Leslie Ugochukwu are unavailable. Boro accepts Rotter Ham from the championship before going to London.
After Fulham’s victory, he is waiting for an accident: “We are 1-0”. But we have to be confident. “The team feels good and confident. Every game has to be our priority. “We have to play every game like a final,” he said.
The Blues are also said to be in the market for a senior striker, with Karim Benzema and Roberto Firmino both available.
The pair are based in Saudi Arabia, with former Madrid star Benzema unable to attend Al Ittihad’s training camp in Dubai due to repeated absences.
