Chelsea’s season is hanging in the balance, and Malo Gusto’s injury could make everything worse. Chelsea have been struggling in all competitions this season, with Pochettino’s men lying in ninth place on the Premier League table, losing nine games and drawing four from the 21 games they’ve played in the league so far.
Chelsea will host Middlesbrough in the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final clash today, and Pochettino is facing another headache after a fresh injury to Malo Gusto. With Gusto out, what is the predicted lineup for Chelsea to overturn the 1-0 deficit from the previous leg? How can they beat Middlesbrough tonight?
Malo Gusto injury: Who’s going to replace him?
While Chelsea’s season is nothing to write home about, it’s no secret that injury problems have contributed to their poor form this season. Like every other struggling side in the league, Chelsea have had to deal with injury problems of their own, especially with important first-team players like Christopher Nkunku, Romeo Lavia, Robert Sanchez, Reece James, Wesley Fofana, and many more.
Malo Gusto is the latest Chelsea player to be on the treatment table, with the young Frenchman picking up an injury in their 1-0 win over Fulham a week ago, which has ruled him out of tonight’s clash with Middlesbrough.
With defenders like Trevoh Chalobah, Reece James, Wesley Fofana, and Marc Cucurella also out, it’s hard to think of a better player to replace Gusto at right-back than summer signing Axel Disasi.
The summer signing from Monaco, although a natural center back, can also play at right back and is most likely to replace the injured Malo Gusto in that position in tonight’s game against Middlesbrough.
Chelsea’s possible lineup for Carabao Cup clash vs Middlesbrough
Chelsea need to win by two goals if they want to make it out of the Carabao Cup semi-final against Middlesbrough tonight. Despite playing a strong team in the reverse leg, Chelsea succumbed to a 1-0 defeat to Michael Carrick’s Championship team, and Chelsea have the chance to turn things around tonight at the Bridge.
With injury problems ravaging the team, Mauricio Pochettino still has the chance to start a strong team.
Djordje Petrovic is set to continue his deputizing role for Sanchez today, and he’ll most likely be supported by a front-four of Levi Colwill, Thiago Silva, Benoit Badiashile, and Axel Disasi.
Pochettino could opt for a double midfield pivot of Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo, with Conor Gallagher getting his free role in front of the pivot to have more license to roam the pitch.
Chelsea will also most likely opt for a front-three of Raheem Sterling, Cole Palmer, and Noni Madueke, with Palmer standing in as a false nine in the absence of a recognized striker in the team.
