Mauricio Pochettino to consider three changes for Chelsea's clash with Fulham
Chelsea will only have a couple of days at Cobham to prepare for their next challenge as west London rivals Fulham come to Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon. The Blues welcome the Cottagers in what will be their last game before a 10-day break.
Mauricio Pochettino will be absolutely desperate to see his side bounce back from what was an extremely disappointing performance and result away at Middlesbrough on Tuesday. Hayden Hackney scored the only goal of the game to give Boro the advantage going into the second-leg of the semi-final in under two weeks' time.
Despite three wins on the bounce going into the game, the latest setback for Chelsea means the supporters have piled the pressure back on Pochettino and Saturday afternoon now has added significance. The Argentine coach could be tempted to make some alterations to the side that were beaten at the Riverside Stadium earlier in the week.
Djordje Petrovic will remain in goal with Robert Sanchez still not back from his knee injury. The Serbian goalkeeper has quietly impressed since coming into the side for Sanchez.
In front of Petrovic, though, there could – and should – be some changes. Alfie Gilchrist, the 20-year-old who made his first senior start for the Blues in their FA Cup third round with over Preston North End last weekend, could return to the side.
Gilchrist is naturally a centre-back but he impressed on the right-hand side of a back four against Preston. Bringing the academy product back into the team and moving Malo Gusto over to the left-hand side could be part of Pochettino's thinking.
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