Mauricio Pochettino must make a crucial decision at right-back for the Blues clash against Arsenal with three players vying for the spot
Mauricio Pochettino could welcome back at least three Chelsea stars into his matchday squad for the visit of Arsenal on Saturday, October 21. The Blues headed into the latest international break following three consecutive wins in all competitions with two key senior stars returning that could be joined by an influential trio later this month.
Injuries have once again plagued Chelsea this season with Wesley Fofana and Christopher Nkunku, who recently posted a positive injury update, as the main long-term absentees. Muscular issues have prevented Benoit Badiashile and Romeo Lavia from playing this season while Reece James, Ben Chilwell, Moises Caicedo and Mykhailo Mudryk have all missed parts of the season through injury.
Although it may feel like the injuries are mounting, Carney Chukwuemeka and Armando Broja have both returned from their respective knee problems in recent weeks. Chukwuemeka was an unused substitute against Burnley, making his first matchday squad six weeks, while Broja scored in his Premier League comeback against Fulham after a 10-month lay-off.
However, the 22-year-old has since returned to Cobham from international duty after just two training sessions with Albania suggesting he may have suffered an injury setback. While injuries in certain areas of the pitch mean the starting XI to face Arsenal will likely pick itself, Pochettino could have a triple dilemma at right-back.
Reece James kicked off the season in the position after being named club captain but an injury saw him replaced by Malo Gusto. The France international was then shown a red card against Aston Villa which meant he would miss Premier League matches against Fulham and Burnley along with the Carabao Cup clash against Brighton.
As a result Marc Cucurella was deployed in the role and with Chelsea winning all three games and conceding just once, he has done nothing wrong to lose his place, however the changing availability of Gusto and James may force Pochettino’s hand.
