James return, new Nkunku partnership - How Chelsea could line up after the international break

The international break has come at a good time for Chelsea with several players on the road to recovery and having reached Wembley for the second time the mood is up. Mauricio Pochettino will enjoy the break knowing that there remain just over ten games to rescue their league position with a semi-final to look forward to without pressure considering they have been drawn against favourites Manchester City.

With the break, there is scope for some players to return to the fold for the Blues and therefore make the team after its conclusion. However, it may still take some time after the clash with Burnley for a few to fully recover whilst the likes of Wesley Fofana expect to be out perhaps for the rest of the season.

With that in mind, football.london takes a look at what a post-international break team could look like. Bearing in mind this might not be for as early as Burnley but certainly scope to see in April.

Robert Sanchez looked questionable in goal for Chelsea when Leicester came to test them. His distribution in particular was nervy and Djordje Petrovic deserves his starting spot, but a summer signing certainly looks on the cards.

Reece James has a hopeful return timeline of April and if they can indeed get the England international into the side it could be a transformational difference to the back line. Having such a threat down the right will only help the undroppable Cole Palmer who also features on the right side.

Into the back line and the return of Benoit Badiashile to full fitness is certainly a boost to the team and if Pochettino can discover the Frenchman’s form from his early stints in a Blue shirt then the renewed partnership with Axel Disasi might indeed be the way forward. Chelsea fans will of course long