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Chelsea vs Blackburn: 3 Blues things to look out for

By Vishnu Raj

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 02: Chelsea FC manager Mauricio Pochettino gives instructions to Raheem Sterling, Nicolas Jackson and Malo Gusto during a break in play during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Nottingham Forest at Stamford Bridge on September 02, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 02: Chelsea FC manager Mauricio Pochettino gives instructions to Raheem Sterling, Nicolas Jackson and Malo Gusto during a break in play during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Nottingham Forest at Stamford Bridge on September 02, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images) /
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After a disappointing loss to Brentford, Chelsea are back in action on Wednesday night at home in the EFL Cup. They take on championship side Blackburn Rovers. The former premier league champions are currently in 12th in their league.

Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur are already out, and there are four matches where premier league sides take on each other. The League Cup is genuinely Chelsea’s best chance of some silverware this season. Here are three things to look out for as the Blues aim for a spot among the last eight.

1. The Chelsea lineup

Enzo Fernandes and Mykhailo Mudryk should be fit and ready for Chelsea after missing out on the weekend’s defeat due to minor injuries. Since their next match in the premier league is on Monday night, Mauricio Pochettino can afford to start his full-strength squad.

However, fans can expect some changes at the back. Thiago Silva should be getting a rest. It will be interesting to see if Benoit Badiashile will make the starting lineup. If Pochettino starts a fullback in a fullback position, Reece James could see getting some minutes ahead of the Spurs match.

Since the first team is yet to be in full flow, it is not ideal to make too many changes for the sake of it. Giving fringe players minutes should not be the aim when the side is struggling and is in the bottom half of the table.

2. The performance of the team.

Chelsea found it difficult against AFC Wimbledon in round two. Pochettino made changes for the match to give minutes to players who had not featured much till then. But the League Two side made things difficult, and Chelsea had to bring in big names to see it through.

The last thing CFC need is a similar match. A not-so-comfortable win will not do any good for the team right now. A dominant win will instill faith among fans and confidence in the players.

3. Will Nicolas Jackson answer his critics?

In the third round of the EFL Cup against Brighton & Hove Albion, it was Jackson’s goal that won the match for Chelsea. Despite the goal, his performance was very ordinary. But this gave him confidence, and the effect was seen against Burnley when he returned to the starting lineup after a one-match suspension.

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Since Armando Broja was not fit enough to even make the bench against Brentford, Jackson should once start as the out-and-out striker. He is in a similar position as he was during the last round. With crucial matches in the premier league coming, the team can do a lot with a confident and in-form striker.

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