Chelsea has had another week’s rest going into the Newcastle match but the next slog is right around the corner. Team selection will be tricky.
It feels like it has been forever since Chelsea beat Burnley 3-0. Luckily for fans, the Newcastle game kicks off another round of games every few days. That is unlucky for the squad which still seems to be going through (sometimes literal) growing pains under Frank Lampard’s new fitness regime. The squad will be fresh, but the manager might also have one eye on Arsenal midweek.
Kepa Arrizabalaga, 1, Goalkeeper, Spain
Quietly, and seriously say it very quietly, Arrizabalaga is looking better game by game. Statistically things are still not ideal, but the eye test is checking out more and more. Of course, both need to be used which is why Arrizabalaga is such a point of discomfort for many. Could Chelsea do better? Sure. Would it be nearly impossible to do so at the moment? Yes.
Reece James, 24, Right back, England
James is fresh off signing a new contract and is also coming off a week where the media has been having a low key love fest around him. That was bound to happen with the Euros coming up but England is packed with right backs. James could play in midfield for England and it has been suggested by Lampard previously. Whether or not James goes to the Euros, he will surely be a star at the next one and with Chelsea in the intervening years.
Andreas Christensen, 4, Center back, Denmark
A lot of weird things have happened in recent weeks with players coming back out of the cold suddenly. Christensen is one of those players who was nowhere to be seen and now he is making a case for starts. Lampard has been blessed with four center backs of the same skill level with slightly different styles so he can mix and match. Christensen, if for nothing else than his good form, should start.
Fikayo Tomori, 29, Center back, England
Tomori has been one of the defenders to make way as Lampard has rotated in other options. He has a ton of minutes on his body so it does make sense. Still, Lampard will not want to keep him out too long. Tomori has arguably been the center back of the season and Lampard’s goal should be to find a good long term partner for him. The ability to rotate is great, but really not as needed in the center back spots.
Emerson, 33, Left back, Italy
Emerson has bounced back a little bit recently but there is still more that is required. It has only become clearer with James stepping up just how much more is needed on the left side of the defense. Emerson started off that way but has not really shown it since. Chelsea will surely be looking around for options and Emerson needs to show that search is wasteful.