Full Chelsea 20-man squad vs Aston Villa revealed with Moises Caicedo decision and surprise call
Mauricio Pochettino is still scrambling around to fill his Chelsea squad as the continued absence of available first team players leaves him short-changed once more. One week on from naming just one player on the bench that had started a Premier League game for the club, there isn't going to be much improvement when the Blues host Aston Villa.
The injury issues that have provided a gloomy backdrop to the season so far are yet to fully relent and despite progress being made on several counts there are still big gaps remaining. It is likely that come Sunday afternoon the Argentine head coach will once more be turning to even more youthful and inexperienced options than has been normal for him six weeks in.
There is still a sizeable list of players yet to feature for the club this term including Christopher Nkunku, Romeo Lavia, Benoit Badiashile and Armando Broja whilst Wesley Fofana isn't likely to return before the season is up. It is over £250million worth of talent in that group alone and is just part of a packed treatment room at Cobham.
Unlike Villa, Chelsea weren't burdened with midweek action having not qualified for a European competition. It is just the second time in the past 20 years that it has happened for the Blues and has led to frustration growing in the fanbase. Pochettino though sees a silver cloud.
«Yes, [no Champions League is helpful] because it's about us recovering players from injury,» he said before the match against Unai Emery's side. «The circumstance it is good to have time to work. It was a very good week, we worked very hard with the players we have.
»For the fans, of course it is difficult because usually Chelsea are involved in the competition." It will, though, give him extra time to work on
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