The international break is well underway and Chelsea’s stars have flown around the world to compete for their national sides. Mauricio Pochettino has fewer numbers to work with in the build up to the Blues’ trip to Newcastle United nine days times, as he looks to build on the momentum garnered from defeating Tottenham and drawing with Manchester United.
The pause in Premier League football affords Pochettino time to work with some players who have scarcely seen Cobham’s training pitches in the opening months of the season. For example, there is hope that Christopher Nkunku and Romeo Lavia could soon be in contention to feature domestically.
Pochettino explained: “I had a conversation with Christopher and he said to me he wanted to be involved after the international break, against Newcastle. I asked yesterday and he wasn’t as sure, so I told him he is a liar! In a good way, though. I think he’s close and he is doing really well. We are so happy with him in the way that he is doing his recovery. He is very professional.
“Romeo Lavia is also close, they were both training today on the pitch. We hope that next week they will be involved with the team and we will assess day by day to see when they can start to play and help the team.”
In the past Chelsea have made use of behind-closed-doors friendlies to help build the fitness of recovering stars, as was seen with N’Golo Kante last term. Resting and preserving fitness might be higher on the agenda on this occasion ahead of a busy festive schedule, but what would the Blues lineup look like if they were to have a match in the next seven days?
With that in mind, football.london takes a look at what a dream behind-closed-doors XI might look like.
READ MORE: What Christopher Nkunku and Mauricio Pochettino have done during the international break so far
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Robert Sanchez would start in goal after being everpresent for the Blues this term. Djordje Petrovic is no doubt desperate for an opportunity but is in the Serbia squad currently, though once again among the substitutes. Marcus Bettinelli has been involved in training this week however.
The Blues backline would have the opportunity to be very strong in any clash. Reece James could captain the side with the decision made for the 23-year-old to not join up with England.
It would provide the perfect chance for Benoit Badiashile to continue to build his fitness so that the Frenchman is ready to step into Premier League action if he’s required. The former Monaco man returned from injury to score against Blackburn in the Carabao Cup but has not featured since that match in October.
There would be debate whether to rest Thiago Silva during any break, the Brazilian defender has returned to his homeland for a period on this occasion. A dream scenario would see the 39-year-old build upon a partnership with Badiashile but Alfie Gilchrist could share minutes. Marc Cucurella is the obvious choice to start on the left side.
Chelsea’s starting midfielders in Conor Gallagher, Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo are all representing their nations, while young deputy Lesley Ugochukwu is part of the France under-21 squad. Alex Matos has been in a number of squads under Pochettino and could quickly come into the XI however, and the would be joined by development squad teammates.
It would provide the opportunity for 16-year-old Kiano Dyer build some fitness having missed out on England’s under-17 World Cup team as he recovers. The youngster has bags of quality having already seamlessly stepped up to the Premier League 2 level. Jimi Tauriainen could cap off the midfield three, with Romeo Lavia earning some minutes as he steps up his recovery.
Armando Broja could continue his foray back to full match fitness having won a penalty against Manchester City, beating off competition for Deivid Washington. He would be supported by Raheem Sterling, while Nkunku could step up his recovery and have a carefully managed contribution off of the left wing.
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Olivia Martin is a dedicated sports journalist based in the UK. With a passion for various athletic disciplines, she covers everything from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis.
