Chelsea’s 25-man squad for Malmo clash confirmed as Thomas Tuchel considers changes
Thomas Tuchel previews Malmo clash
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Chelsea will be looking to put one foot in the Champions League knockout stages tonight when they travel to Sweden to face Malmo. A win for the Blues would take them six points clear of third-place Zenit St Petersburg if the Russian side lose to Juventus.
Thomas Tuchel’s men are second in the Group H table after beating Zenit St Petersburg in their opening game, before losing to Juventus.
Chelsea then thumped Malmo 4-0 at Stamford Bridge a fortnight ago and will be confident of landing another victory over their Scandinavian opponents tonight.
Tuchel could make a string of changes to the side which defeated Newcastle in the Premier League on Saturday after confirming his 25-man squad which has travelled to Sweden.
Christian Pulisic is back in the squad for the first time since sustaining an ankle injury while playing for the USA.
The 23-year-old hasn’t appeared for the west Londoners since the opening day of the Premier League season.
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On that occasion, Pulisic notched his team’s second goal of the game and he will be hoping to pick up from where he left off.
Pulisic could be handed a place in the starting line-up in place of Hakim Ziyech, who has failed to impress this term.
Tuchel is still without Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner, who both limped off during the victory over Malmo last month.
That means Kai Havertz will continue to lead the line as his side’s only recognised striker.
Mason Mount is set to miss his second match on the bounce after being struck down by illness before Saturday’s trip to Newcastle.
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That means Callum Hudson-Odoi could be given his fourth consecutive start in a front three.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek could come in for his first Champions League start of the campaign alongside N’Golo Kante at the heart of the Chelsea midfield.
In the backline Cesar Azpilicueta could be in line for a return to the starting line-up after remaining on the bench in the Blues’ last two Premier League outings.
He could appear alongside Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen, with Thiago Silva dropping to the bench after starting his side’s last two Premier League games.
Reece James will be looking to build on his outstanding performance at St James’ Park, where he notched two goals, while Marcos Alonso could be given a chance to impress on the opposite flank.
And Tuchel will be putting his faith in Edouard Mendy between the posts once again. The keeper has been in outstanding form this season.
Chelsea squad vs Malmo
Goalkeepers – Kepa Arrizabalaga, Marcus Bettinelli, Edouard Mendy, Lucas Bergstrom*
Defenders – Marcos Alonso, Andreas Christensen, Trevoh Chalobah, Thiago Silva, Antonio Rudiger, Ben Chilwell, Reece James, Cesar Azpilicueta, Malang Sarr.
Midfielders – Jorginho, N’Golo Kante, Saul Niguez, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Ross Barkley, Hakim Ziyech, Lewis Baker.
Forwards – Callum Hudson-Odoi*, Hakim Ziyech, Kai Havertz, Christian Pulisic, Harvey Vale*
*Player List B
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