Chelsea face Wolves on Sunday hoping to overcome their woeful 4-1 defeat by Liverpool on Wednesday. The gulf in class between big-spending Chelsea and the Premier League’s elite was evident at Anfield and Mauricio Pochettino’s side now face a Wolves team who beat them 2-1 on Christmas Eve. Express Sport picks a likely Blues team.
Goalkeeper: Petrovic
Despite conceding four goals against Liverpool, goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic played relatively well. He kept out Darwin Nunez with a couple of good saves and looks to have settled well in the Premier League. The Serbian shot-stopper can claim to be Chelsea’s new No. 1.
Defenders: Gusto, Disasi, Silva, Chilwell
Pochettino has the option to make a swathe of changes to his team after the mauling at Anfield. But the Argentine might just limit them to three to provide continuity in key areas and ensure his best players play themselves back into form.
Malo Gusto enjoyed a positive cameo against Liverpool, coming on for the final 20 minutes. Benoit Badiashile could make way after a disastrous time on Merseyside, allowing Axel Disasi to partner Thiago Silva at centre-back.
Midfielders: Fernandez, Gallagher, Nkunku
Patience might be running out with £220m midfield pair Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo. The expensive duo have been outshone by Conor Gallagher this season and were breezed past by their well-coached Liverpool counterparts.
Fernandez made way earlier in the season and it might now be time for Caicedo to drop to the bench. It is unclear what the former Brighton star, who cost a British record £115m, offers to Chelsea’s team.
That will be a worry to Pochettino, who needs his expensive stars to perform. But it is time for the Chelsea boss to look beyond the price tags his players command and what is best for his team. Gallagher and Nkunku must start against Wolves, with either of Fernandez or Caicedo demoted to the bench.
