Chelsea secured their third win of the season on Wednesday, a 1-0 Carabao Cup victory against Brighton ending a dreadful three-game scoring drought. The Blues will now be looking to transform their luck in the Premier League as they clash against Fulham on Monday. Currently 15th in the league with a measly five points from six games, this rebuilding Chelsea side shouldn’t take any possibility of gaining points for granted.
This game against the Cottagers will be crucial in determining whether we don’t creep closer into relegation territory. Especially considering that the toughest part of the Blues’ early campaign is on the horizon with matches against the likes of Arsenal, Manchester City, Tottenham, Newcastle Brighton, and Manchester United all scheduled in the next two months before year-end.
Three things to look out for in Chelsea vs Fulham
Chelsea striker situation
Chelsea will be without Nicolas Jackson on Monday as the Senegalese striker is serving a one game suspension following his fifth yellow card against Aston Villa. Although Armando Broja should be next in line for a start at No.9, it has been hinted by Mauricio Pochettino that the Albanian is not fully ready yet to make a start. Pochettino also hinted in his most recent presser that there is a possibility that the Blues shall line up without a centre forward at Craven Cottage. As tactically nuanced as that may sound, no one in this CFC squad is currently capable of thriving in the false nine role with the injury to Christopher Nkunku.
Hence considering their current struggles putting the ball behind the net, it’s hard to see where the goals will come from the Blues in this match. If we’re to create any threats in the final third, the youngsters in Cole Palmer and Mykhailo Mudryk will have to step up along with Raheem Sterling who has yet to continue his form from the beginning of the season. Optimally though, an Armando Broja in the starting 11 will be best for the Blues.