Possible Chelsea lineups against Preston confirmed amid Christopher Nkunku injury concern

Possible Chelsea lineups against Preston confirmed amid Christopher Nkunku injury concern

Chelsea are facing a number of injury concerns ahead of their FA Cup third round tie against Preston. Christopher Nkunku is set to miss the clash along with Ben Chilwell, Carney Chukwuemeka and Romeo Lavia.

The French forward has featured in the last four fixtures for Chelsea but Mauricio Pochettino confirmed Nkunku will not feature against Preston on Saturday evening. “I am going to tell you Christoph is not going to start tomorrow because he suffered some issues during the week but he is going to be in the squad,” the Blues’ boss said.

“We need to be careful with him like I told you. Six months where he didn’t compete and when he starts to compete it’s not the same.”

Pochettino also confirmed he will not make too many changes to his team. “Not too many changes,” he continued.

“Playing with the circumstances of course, not going to change too much the team. You will see maybe one or two, players normally not in the starting XI but of course because we have some circumstance we need to prevent and we need to anticipate problems.

“We take like a Premier League game, it’s not because it’s the FA Cup and a Championship team. Full respect to Preston and tomorrow you will see we are going to put in a place a starting XI with the opportunity to perform.”

So, football.london takes a look at three potential teams Pochettino could select against Preston…

Raheem Sterling starts

Raheem Sterling has not featured in the last two fixtures for Chelsea after serving a one-match suspension against Crystal Palace. The England international was an unused substitute in the 3-2 win against Luton Town.

Pochettino offered a spiky response when asked about the possibility that Sterling would start against Preston. “You already know he’s going to play? You guess,” he said.

“It’s an important game for Chelsea and then we will see if he plays or not. I cannot answer a question that I know but you don’t know and no-one knows.”

The FA Cup tie represents a good opportunity to bring Sterling back into the side, particularly in the absence of Nkunku.

Possible starting XI: Petrovic; Gusto, Disasi, Silva, Colwill; Gallagher, Caicedo; Sterling, Palmer, Mudryk; Broja.

Youngster opportunity

Alfie Gilchrist could make a third consecutive appearance for the Blues against Preston after coming on as a late substitute in the last two Premier League wins. The youngster has filled in at right-back for Pochettino despite predominantly playing as a centre-back in the club’s youth sides.

Possible starting XI: Petrovic; Gilchrist, Disasi, Silva, Gusto; Enzo, Caicedo; Sterling, Palmer, Mudryk; Broja.

Noni Madueke and Enzo Fernandez chance

Noni Madueke has scored two goals in his last two Premier League appearances for Chelsea after returning to the matchday squad. The English winger had struggled with injuries earlier this season but is now showing Pochettino why he deserves to start every week.

Madueke could make an impact once again if handed the start against Preston this afternoon. Meanwhile, Enzo Fernandez could return to the team after recovering from a hernia problem.

The Argentine midfielder came on as a late substitute in the win against Luton Town last week. The tie against Preston will give the 22-year-old a chance to regain his match sharpness.

Possible starting XI: Petrovic; Gilchrist, Disasi, Silva, Gusto; Enzo, Caicedo; Madueke, Gallagher, Mudryk; Broja.