Chelsea are back in Premier League action today as they host Brentford at Stamford Bridge. The Blues are unbeaten in their last four fixtures across all competitions and will be looking to continue that run this weekend.
Chelsea will be hoping to climb into the top-eight, leapfrogging West Ham and Manchester United, while the Bees will be determined to build-upon their impressive 3-0 win over Burnley. However, Mauricio Pochettino is set to be without as many as seven players for the game this afternoon.
Reece James is set to start on the bench against Brentford as Pochettino continues to manage his club captain’s fitness. The England international made his return from a hamstring injury in the 2-2 draw against Arsenal last week.
The Chelsea boss also provided an exciting update on Christopher Nkunku – who could return to action following the November international break. In other news, the transfer window may be shut but there’s still plenty of life left in the rumour mill with Victor Osimhen still being heavily linked with a move Stamford Bridge despite ongoing contract talks with Napoli.
So, with that being said, stay with us at football.london as we keep you up to date on everything you need to know as it happens LIVE from west London!
Mauricio Pochettino has made three changes to his Chelsea side to face Brentford. Enzo Fernandez is out of the squad entirely, as is Mykhailo Mudryk.
Noni Madueke makes his first Premier League start of the season in the latter’s place as Cole Palmer takes on the role of No.10 in Pochettino’s XI.
Brentford boss Thomas Frank has revealed who he believes is the most dangerous Chelsea player ahead of his side taking on the Blues in the Premier League.
“Chelsea look really promising,” he admitted, via BBC Sport. “The players they have are very high quality. The talent and potential in the squad is extremely exciting. I can see the team competing in two years’ time or maybe earlier, depending on how the development goes.”
While praising the entire group at Pochettino’s disposal, he ensured to single out Raheem Sterling for praise, naming him as Chelsea’s most dangerous player. Frank said: “Raheem Sterling is probably in his best age and is getting back to his high level. He has been the most dangerous player for Chelsea this season.”
Chelsea are back in action this afternoon as they face Brentford in the Premier League at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues are now unbeaten in four matches in all competitions after drawing last time out to Arsenal. The Blues went 2-0 up in the match at Stamford Bridge but the Gunners mounted a late fightback to ensure the points were shared on the night.
Despite that, Mauricio Pochettino, for the most part, was delighted with what he saw from his ever-improving team in the game. Today, though, a completely different challenge in Brentford awaits.
The Bees looked back to their exciting best last weekend in a comfortable win at home to Burnley. Thomas Frank’s side were pressing from the front and showed really positive signs from wide areas in what should come as a warning to Chelsea.
The Blues know all about Brentford after the Bees picked up four points from them last season – including a famous win at Stamford Bridge. This is a different Chelsea side, however, under new management and the feel-good factor has somewhat returned to the club, for the time being at least.
Chelsea will be hoping to stretch their unbeaten run in all competitions to five games when they face Brentford in a west London derby. The Blues are coming into the Premier League clash one week on from a 2-2 draw against Arsenal at Stamford Bridge where the visitors scored two late goals to salvage a point.
Prior to that game, Mauricio Pochettino had seen his team beat Brighton, Fulham and Burnley, and getting back to winning ways will certainly be the aim this afternoon. Thomas Frank’s side ended their barren run of no wins last weekend against Burnley and another three points, which is what they took from Stamford Bridge last season, will be the target
Napoli sporting director Mauro Meluso has dismissed suggestions Victor Osimhen could be sold in January.
Reports continue to link the Nigerian with a move to the Premier League, with Chelsea and Arsenal two possible destinations. Both London clubs are understood to be targeting a new striker to propel their sides to the next level.
Osimhen – who has 18 months remaining on his contract – was linked with a move all summer before staying put in Naples. An impressive campaign last year resulted in the 24-year-old bagging 26 league goals to fire Gli Azzurri to a historic Serie A title.
However, tensions have since escalated between Osimhen and Napoli, with a move seeming likely. Bizarre videos posted on the club’s social media accounts last month appeared to controversially mock the player.
