Which Chelsea players could miss the second leg against Real Madrid?
Reece James, Thiago Silva and Enzo Fernandez are among SEVEN Chelsea players who could miss the second leg should they pick up a yellow card in tonight’s crunch Champions League quarter-final clash with Real Madrid
- Chelsea face Real Madrid in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final
- The Blues could be without seven key players heading into the second leg
- Read all of today’s news regarding Chelsea with Sportsmail’s live blog
Chelsea travel to Real Madrid tonight in the first leg of their epic Champions League quarter-final clash but could be without seven key players in the return leg.
Frank Lampard will be looking to pick up his first win in his second stint in charge of the Blues. The former Chelsea legend was appointed the club’s interim manager until the end of the season after sacking Graham Potter – who only won only 12 of his 31 games in total.
The side come into the game off the back of a 1-0 defeat away to Wolves – with Matheus Nunes scoring the only goal of the game.
Chelsea progressed through to the quarter-final stages after defeating German side Borussia Dortmund 2-1 on aggregate.
With the English side looking to go all the way in the competition, they must first get through Madrid. The first leg will take place later this evening at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Chelsea face Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final clash
Enzo Fernandez is one of seven players who could miss the second leg due to suspension
Lampard may have a selection headache on his hands as a total of seven players could miss the second leg at Stamford Bridge next week due to suspension.
The Blues’ first-choice goalkeeper, Kepa Arrizabalaga is among those who could serve a one-match ban should he pick up a yellow card tonight.
Conor Gallagher, Reece James, Kalidou Koulibaly, Mykhailo Mudryk and Thiago Silva are also one booking away from suspension.
Enzo Fernandez is another player who could miss the return leg with a yellow card this evening. The midfielder is expected to start from the off against the Spanish giants tonight.
The Argentine has proven to be a great signing for the club since signing from Benfica in January for a British record £107million.
James is another who looks set to start from the off. The defender has been a crucial player for the English side this season.
The club have struggled every time the defender has not featured. It is fair to say that Lampard will be sweating over the Englishman should he be named in the starting eleven.
Despite Silva being at risk of missing the second leg, it is unlikely that the Brazilian will start from the off this evening. The centre back has not featured since the Blues’ defeat to Tottenham Hotspur back in February after picking up a knee injury.
Reece James is another player who could miss the second leg should he pick up a card tonight
Thiago Silva returned to training this week and is another who could miss the second leg
The defender recently handed Lampard’s side a boost as he was pictured back in training ahead of the Madrid clash.
All yellow cards expire on completion of the quarter-finals and are not carried forward to the semi-finals.
Chelsea’s first leg tie with Real Madrid will get underway this evening at 8pm.
The second leg taking place next week, on Tuesday April 18, with the match again kicking off at 8pm.
Source: Read Full Article