Chelsea returned to the Premier League tomorrow evening as they face Watford at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues will try to recover from the disappointing 3-2 defeat in West Ham on Wednesday evening, but will remain without a couple of players.
“Fikayo is still not in shape,” said Frank Lampard. “Hopefully he’ll train with us next week. He’s doing a lot of work, it’s only in terms of the last bit, getting him to the training ground was difficult.
“Kovacic will be out of this game. He injured his Achilles in the West Ham game and we will miss him in this one and probably in the next one, but I hope it won’t be long after.”
So which team should choose Lampard? Our writers have a say.
Oliver Harbord – Chelsea correspondent
It was a rather shocking performance at West Ham and there were some changes to be made to get things back on track.
The older ones will be on the back, and Reece James should return to the right back, with Cesar Azpilicueta moving to the left back position.
Meanwhile, centrally located, Kurt Zouma is expected to return for Andreas Christensen. There will be question marks about Antonio Rudiger, but the German defender still remains the best in position.
With Kovacic injured, the combination of N’Golo Kante, Ross Barkley and Mason Mount should be the best in midfield.
In the lead, however, Olivier Giroud must replace Tammy Abraham after the attacker has fought against the Hammers.
Harbord team (4-3-3): Head; James, Zouma, Rudiger, Azpilicueta; Barkley, Kante, Monte; Willian, Giroud, Pulisic.
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Alan Smith – senior writer
Except for Christian Pulisic, has anyone played well against West Ham? Willian, perhaps, but based on that defeat, he expects Lampard to make several changes.
As always, guessing them is difficult.
Kurt Zouma deserves to start in the center, more likely for Andreas Christensen, while the midfield remains a lucky dip apart from the fact that N’Golo Kante is at the base.
Marcos Alonso had a nightmare for West Ham’s winning goal, so does he come out with Reece James returning to the right and Cesar Azpilicueta moving through? Or will Emerson try and the captain will stay on the right?
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Mason Mount is expected to return, probably for Ross Barkley, but does the coach go further and also give Ruben Loftus-Cheek an advantage? Don’t bet against it.
In the lead Tammy Abraham has struggled in his two starts and Olivier Giroud should receive another round, but the wings seem resolved and in the current form it could be the case to give the ball to Pulisic as much as possible.
Smith’s team (4-3-3): Kepa; Azpilicueta, Rudiger, Zouma, Emerson; Kante; Monte, Loftus-Cheek; Willian, Giroud, Pulisic.
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