Chelsea could face Fulham without a recognised striker as Maurico Pochettino’s list of absences grows. Forward Nicolas Jackson will miss the Premier League clash due to picking up his fifth yellow card of the season last weekend, prompting Pochettino to hint at a major tactical switch.
Jackson is Chelsea’s only natural No 9 but will now be suspended for Chelsea’s visit to Fulham, prompting frustration from Pochettino over his ill-discipline. The £30m summer signing has been added to a growing list of absences with the Blues suffering from a mini injury crisis.
First-choice wing-backs Ben Chilwell and Reece James will also miss Monday’s game. Pochettino ominously warned that Chilwell’s injury is ‘bad news’ and that both players face further medical tests.
Speaking about how his side could line up, the Blues boss said: “We have a few options with a striker and without a striker. We need to assess the whole squad after the game. Things appear after 48 hours and we need to see how they are and how they recover from Wednesday.”
Pressed on playing without a centre-forward, he added: “The most important thing is to adapt, the squad needs to find a way to perform, that is the most important [thing]. We can play with one striker or maybe we can play without a striker. I think it is still a few days and I need to see and assess the squad about this situation.”
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