MAURICIO POCHETTINO has said that his team will have to “adapt” amid a mounting injury and suspension list.
Chelsea go into Monday’s clash with Fulham sitting 14th in the table with five points from their six games this season.
One of the main issues facing Pochettino this weekend is Nicolas Jackson’s suspension after he picked up his fifth yellow card of the season against Aston Villa last weekend.
Academy product Armando Broja is available after returning from a ACL injury during pre-season but Pochettino has hinted he may opt to play without a striker.
The Chelsea boss said: “We have a few options with a striker and without a striker.
“We need to assess the whole squad after the game. Things appear after 48 hours and we need to see how they are and how they recover from Wednesday.”
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Reacting to Pochettino’s lack of options up and generally downbeat demeanour, one fan on Twitter said: “He’s talking like he’s given up already.”
Another fan wrote: “He inspires so much confidence when he speaks.” Alongside a sad face emoji.
A third wrote: “Sterling to start up front when we have an 18 year old on the bench. Lmfao.”
Pochettino is plagued by injury problems across the pitch, with vice-captain Ben Chilwell being the latest absentee.
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Chilwell limped off despite completing the 90 minutes of Chelsea’s midweek 1-0 Carabao Cup win over Brighton.
The Chelsea boss looked concerned as he confirmed it was “bad news” and may be a repeat of last season’s hamstring injury.
He said: “Bad news. The doctor told me is it is a bad injury but we need to assess in the next few days.
“Yes [it’s the same leg as last season]. I think so. It’s the mechanism of the action. He was a little bit unlucky in the way he suffered the injury. It’s very sad because he was doing a very good game.”
The club have not been able to put a timeline on Chilwell’s absence as of yet.
Malo Gusto is suspended after seeing red in last weekend’s game against Aston Villa but first-choice right-back and captain Reece James could return from injury in his absence.
Meanwhile Christopher Nkunku, Benoit Badiashile, Romeo Lavia,
Carney Chukwuemeka, Trevoh Chalobah and Wesley Fofana all remain sidelined.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
