Chelsea will look to prevent three consecutive defeats when they host Sheffield United in the Premier League. Last Saturday, the Blades defeated an injured Brentford 1-0 thanks to a goal from Chris Wilder, while the Blues’ winter problems continued with a 2-0 loss to Everton.
Preview (Chelsea vs. Sheffield United)
A few months ago, Chelsea was able to hide the problems with a string of decent away performances. However, Pochettino’s team has since experienced a decline in their away day performance. They suffered their third straight loss on the road last weekend. After narrowly defeating Brighton & Hove Albion at home and failing to score on Newcastle United and Manchester United’s territory, the Blues were doomed to lose at Goodison Park thanks to second-half goals from Abdoulaye Doucoure and Lewis Dobbin for relegation-fighting Everton, who won despite having just 28% of the ball.
Since Todd Boehly’s consortium took over in West London, money has been spent freely. However, Pochettino has now demanded that the checkbook be opened again before the January transfer window. Chelsea currently sits in 12th place in the Premier League table. Chelsea’s 18 losses in 2023 are only better than Bournemouth’s 19 for the current calendar year. Another depressing loss on Saturday would be the first time in a decade that Pochettino has overseen three straight Premier League losses (his Southampton team lost three in a row in December 2013).
After seeing Pochettino’s team lose two more back-up players to injury against the Toffees, last weekend’s thrashing at Goodison Park also marked the fifth straight Premier League game in which Chelsea has conceded at least two goals. The 56-year-old Chris Wilder made a troubled appearance when Liverpool spoilt his Bramall Lane homecoming. However, he was beaming as he guided the Blades to a vital victory in his second taste of victory.
Team News
Chelsea also lost unfortunate captain Reece James and first-choice goalkeeper Robert Sanchez to injuries. James is currently enduring yet another stay in the hospital due to a hamstring issue. If the Spaniard’s worry is valid, Djordje Petrovic may make his Premier League debut. Completing the trinity of injuries at Goodison Park was Marc Cucurella’s retirement owing to a twisted ankle.
Before kickoff, evaluations must be completed on all of Romeo Lavia (ankle), Christopher Nkunku (knee), Noni Madueke (unspecified), and Malo Gusto (tendon). The trio joins Trevoh Chalobah (thigh), Lessley Ugochukwu (unspecified), Wesley Fofana (knee), Ben Chilwell (thigh), and Carney Chukwuemeka (knee) in the medical bay. In addition, Jack Robinson received his fifth yellow card of the year during Sheffield United’s victory over Brentford. Robinson will serve a one-game suspension at Stamford Bridge, where Oliver Norwood and Oli McBurnie will serve their bans. This means Sheffield United will have to make changes to their backline on Saturday.
Chelsea 2-0 Sheffield United
For more football previews, click here
