Chelsea will have to patch together whatever team they can as the face Everton. The Toffees are on the rise and will be a tough test.
Listen, that win against Liverpool was fantastic but it is in the past now. Part two of the Merseyside week involves the blue half of the city and Chelsea barely has enough fit players to field against them. But the match will go on and the Blues will need to build on their momentum. Carlo Ancelotti will be in the house and will test his old club, so best to put on a show regardless of how rag tag the team may be.
Kepa Arrizabalaga, 13, Goalkeeper, Spain
Honestly, if it came down to one game being make or break for Arrizabalaga, it was more likely than not that he was not going to make the cut. Arrizabalaga proved that wrong as he did his part to keep Liverpool from blowing Chelsea out early. Willy Caballero has been fine, but if this is the reaction Arrizabalaga is going to have to being dropped, then the Spaniard needs to continue to start.
Cesar Azpilicueta, 28, Left back, Spain
Azpilicueta is probably the center back most in need of a rest and probably the one most likely to get that rest if it comes up. Unfortunately, Frank Lampard is very short on options so whether it is a back three or four, Azpilicueta can be expected to start. That will not be anything new to the Spaniard, but those miles are slowly starting to wear on him.
Andreas Christensen, 4, Center back, Denmark
Christensen missed out on the Liverpool match with a small knock, which likely is why Lampard opted for the 4-3-3 instead of the 3-4-3. This time, midfield is the sore spot so even if Lampard wanted to play 4-3-3, he would find it difficult to make the numbers work. Christensen can play in midfield according to Lampard, so the six of one, half dozen of the other option is to play him and allow him to decide the formation as the match evolves.
Fikayo Tomori, 29, Center back, England
If Lampard is going with three at the back, he has plenty of options for the left center back spot. Kurt Zouma is rarely if ever played successfully on the left so he is probably looking at Azpilicueta’s spot if any. Antonio Rudiger is continuing to struggle this season and was the weakest link against Liverpool. That leaves Tomori for a return and hopefully a better showing than last time out.