Chelsea’s win against Brentford on Saturday could lift Mauricio Pochettino’s side ahead of West Ham and Manchester United in the Premier League.
The Blues have improved of late but they couldn’t quite hold on after taking a two-goal lead against Arsenal last time out after Cole Palmer and Mykhailo Mudryk converted at Stamford Bridge.
Key players are returning to Pochettino and Brentford’s visit gives the Argentinian a good chance to clinch his fourth league win with Chelsea ahead of tough fixtures in November and December.
Here’s the side the Blues could send to Saturday’s dinner.
Sanchez made a big mistake against Arsenal / Marc Atkins / GettyImages
GK: Robert Sanchez – Was getting a lot of plaudits for a better performance between the posts, so obviously he made a horrendous mistake when he gave Declan Rice a goal to make it 2-0 to his side.
RB: Reece James – Returned from injury off the bench and should be fit enough to start on the outside.
CB: Thiago Silva – Has not played for Brazil since the 2022 World Cup but recently said he is ready to join the Selecao ahead of the upcoming matches.
CB: Levi Colwill – Filled in at center back in the absence of Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile.
LB: Marc Cucurella – Had a good outing against Bukayo Saka last time out and should get a decent run at his normal left back position with Ben Chilwell still out through injury.
CM: Moises Caicedo – Pochettino claimed he would be killed by the media and Chelsea owners if he did not start Caicedo and midfielder Fernandez against Arsenal despite the pair flying around South America and back again during the international break in October.
CM: Enzo Fernandez – Had to play peacemaker when Sterling tried to deny a penalty from Palmer, who scored his goal against Arsenal.
RW: Cole Palmer – Mistakenly threw a water bottle at Pochettino and admitted he was hoping he wouldn’t get knocked over as a result. That would show him up for not recycling, in all fairness.
AM: Conor Gallagher – Indefatigable energy has been vital to Chelsea’s high pressing, providing two assists in his last three games.
LM: Mykhailo Mudryk – The debate over whether he meant his goal against Arsenal has raged this week, with the Ukrainian himself claiming it was “something between the cross and the shot”.
ST: Raheem Sterling – Will float around the forward line but could do so without getting caught in any more penalties, especially as his on-field relationship with Palmer looks promising elsewhere.
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