Chelsea team news as Lampard to make six changes vs Real Madrid

Chelsea train ahead of Champions League clash with Real Madrid

Chelsea must overcome a two-goal first-leg deficit against Real Madrid to have any chance of saving their season. Frank Lampard faces the biggest team selection of his managerial career and here Express Sport predicts who he could choose. 

Goalkeeper: Kepa Arrizabalaga

There were questions over Arrizabalaga’s status as first-choice goalkeeper when Lampard came in to replace Graham Potter at the start of the month, with the Englishman preferring Eduoard Mendy during his first spell in charge. 

However, the Spaniard has been one of the standout players during Lampard’s first three games in charge and kept the scoreline respectable against Brighton. As a result, it would be a huge surprise if he was to be dropped. 

Defence: Reece James, Thiago Silva, Wesley Fofana, Marc Cucurella

There are likely to be a number of changes in the backline with many of them enforced. 

Benoit Badiashile and Ben Chilwell both started in the defeat to Brighton but are both unavailable through ineligibility and suspension respectively. Silva and Cucurella are both likely to replace them after being rested at the weekend. 

Equally, James should return at right-back, replacing Trevoh Chalobah with Fofana the only man to keep his place after Saturday’s disappointment. 

Read more…
Chelsea chief Todd Boehly in heated argument with fans[LATEST]

Midfield: N’Golo Kante, Enzo Fernandez, Conor Gallagher

One man who is certain to start in the centre of the park is Fernandez with the Argentina international starting every match for the club since his arrival from Benfica in January. 

There is more debate over the other two positions with Lampard likely to play three in the middle as he chases a result. 

Kante was rested over the weekend and is likely to be selected in midweek as a result. Gallagher scored the first goal since Lampard’s return against Brighton and as a result may have played himself into contention with the Blues needing to score at least twice. 

Don’t miss…
Chelsea insiders still stressing same message after Nagelsmann meeting[LATEST]
Chelsea boss Frank Lampard pins blame on Graham Potter[NEWS]
Lampard ‘impossible to defend’ as Chelsea worse now than under Potter[REACTION]

Forwards: Joao Felix, Kai Havertz, Raheem Sterling

The pressure will be on the Chelsea frontline more than any other position given the need for goals and it is also perhaps the area with the most uncertainty. 

As a result, Lampard may edge in favour of those who have played the most this season. Felix and Havertz have featured in most games since the turn of the year and may find themselves back in against Los Blancos with the German in particular the only man available of really holding the ball up. 

There are a number of other options for the final place with Myhaylo Mudryk, Christian Pulisic and Hakim Ziyech among those in contention however Sterling’s experience may just swing it for him. The England international has featured in a number of high-profile games over the course of his career and the pressure of the quarter-finals is least likely to get to him. 

Source: Read Full Article