Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino is concerned about the fitness of Christopher Nkunku ahead of Tuesday’s EFL Cup semi-final first leg against Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium. Nkunku, who recently recovered from a severe knee injury, suffered a hip problem in training and missed Saturday’s 4-0 FA Cup third-round win over Preston North End, leaving fans eager for updates on his condition.
Ben Chilwell (hamstring), Carney Chukwuemeka (knee), and Benoit Badiashile (unspecified) are also uncertain for the match as they near the end of their recoveries. On the flip side, Reece James (hamstring), Wesley Fofana (knee), Marc Cucurella (ankle), Robert Sanchez (knee), Lesley Ugochukwu (hamstring), Trevoh Chalobah (thigh), and Romeo Lavia (thigh) are unavailable.
Nicolas Jackson is away on Africa Cup of Nations duty with Senegal, and Andrey Santos, returning from an unsuccessful loan at Nottingham Forest, is cup-tied. Without Jackson and with Nkunku doubtful, Armando Broja, who scored against Preston, is likely to fill the number nine role, supported by Raheem Sterling and Cole Palmer.
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Due to a tight turnaround, Mykhaylo Mudryk may make way for Noni Madueke, and Moises Caicedo, who played the full 90 minutes against Preston, could be replaced by the fresh legs of Conor Gallagher. Alfie Gilchrist, despite receiving a standing ovation on Saturday, may be replaced by Thiago Silva, 19 years his senior, in the backline.
An expected Gilchrist-Silva swap could see Malo Gusto move to the right, while Levi Colwill shifts to left-back, forming the central barrier with Silva and Axel Disasi.
Possible Chelsea starting lineup: Petrovic; Gusto, Disasi, Silva, Colwill; Gallagher, Fernandez; Madueke, Palmer, Sterling; Broja.