Chelsea XI vs Newcastle: Predicted line-ups, confirmed squad news and latest Premier League injuries
helsea are set to be without 10 players for the last game of the season at home against Newcastle.
Mason Mount may have played his last game for Chelsea amid interest from Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool. He is considered a huge injury doubt to make one final appearance at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
Reece James was ruled out after another setback with a hamstring problem, while Raheem Sterling joined Benoit Badiashile, Ben Chilwell and Kalidou Koulibaly on the injured list.
N’Golo Kante has a groin problem, while Mateo Kovacic and third-choice keeper Marcus Bettinelli are also out with unspecified fitness issues.
Armando Broja has been out for a long time after undergoing knee surgery in December.
Chelsea will have the same choice of players as against United on Thursday night, but caretaker manager Frank Lampard’s changing formations remain difficult to predict.
The 44-year-old sticks with many of the same staff but continues to switch between a back three and a back four. He played a 4-2-3-1 system in the 4-1 loss at Old Trafford.
Lampard could opt to stick with the same system but could call on Joao Felix after scoring a late consolation goal from the bench. The Blues would likely be Mykhailo Mudryk, who struggled to bring in Felix alongside Kai Havertz and Noni Madueke.
Kepa Arrizabalaga is expected to continue in goal, with Cesar Azpilicueta at right-back. Thiago Silva, rested and an unused substitute on Thursday, is expected to take Wesley Fofana’s place as he struggles against Trevoh Chalobah. Teenager Lewis Haill will retain his place after playing well at left-back.
Carney Chukwuemeka will fight with Ruben Loftus-Cheek for a midfield role alongside Enzo Fernandez and Conor Gallagher.
Predicted Chelsea XI: Kepa; Azpilicueta, Chalobah, Silva, Hall; Loftus-Cheek, Enzo, Gallagher; Madueke, Havertz, Felix
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