Chelsea will host Blackburn Rovers in the EFL Cup as they look to win for the sixth time. Chelsea’s devastating loss over the weekend sent them reeling after a string of encouraging results that saw them relegated to the Premier League’s lower half.
Preview (Chelsea vs Blackburn Rovers)
Chelsea’s loss to Brentford on Saturday in their West London derby has proven that they are still in a crisis. This was despite recent signs that they were starting to improve. The Bees lost all three of their home Premier League derbies against Thomas Frank’s team. Their humiliation at the Bridge sent them reeling back to earth. After Chelsea defeated Brighton & Hove Albion in the competition’s last round, Mauricio Pochettino’s team won three straight games. They then drew 2-2 with Arsenal in a match in which they were clearly superior.
But with just 12 points from 10 games, Pochettino’s team is back in the bottom half. They need to make sure this doesn’t turn into a cup tie, which would put further pressure on the Argentine. Chelsea only lost against lower-league opponents in the previous 15 years, that being in the FA Cup against Bradford City in 2015. Despite this, the team did not appear impressive as it limped to win against AFC Wimbledon in round two.
They have only drawn once in 17 games, winning nine and losing seven. Three of the victories occurred during this competition. The 2002 victors are the competition’s best scorers, having defeated Cardiff City 5-2 in the previous round. Harrogate Town 8-0 in the second round, and Walsall 4-3 in the first. Those cup victories have also been replete with goals. However, Blackburn’s only success from the previous season came in the fourth round.
Team News
With a match against Tottenham Hotspur coming up, Pochettino might be tempted to make a few more changes after fielding a fairly good team in the previous round’s victory over Brighton. Due to his age, Thiago Silva is one of the more likely contenders to be rested; therefore, Malo Gusto or Reece James might start at right-back while Axel Disasi moves into the center.
Noni Madueke might get another start since Mykhaylo Mudryk, who missed the Brentford game due to a minor muscular ailment, might be rested for next Monday’s match. After the birth of his child, Enzo Fernandez was unable to play in the match; nonetheless, he has only appeared as a substitute in the two EFL Cup games thus far, with Lesley Ugochukwu receiving more opportunities in this competition.
Young players Andrew Moran and Jake Garrett had opportunities, and since they scored three of Blackburn’s five goals that evening, they might get the start in this game. After missing a month of play, Harry Leonard made his comeback to the field on Saturday in the loss. However, Sam Gallagher, Lewis Travis, and Aynsley Pears have yet to make a comeback; they are still a few weeks away. The only other long-term absence is Ryan Hedges, who will miss the remainder of 2023 due to a hamstring injury.
Chelsea 2 – 0 Blackburn Rovers
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