Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior will take charge of his first home game this Wednesday as the Blues host London rivals Arsenal in the first leg of their League Cup semi-final.
The Blues arrive at the tie buoyed by a weekend FA Cup victory over Charlton Athletic, but Rosenior faces several key selection dilemmas as he looks to make a winning start at Stamford Bridge.
Fitness gambles
The primary concern for Chelsea involves the trio of Cole Palmer, Reece James, and Malo Gusto. All three were rested for the trip to Charlton as a precaution, and Rosenior confirmed on Monday that he is prepared to wait until the final moments to decide on their involvement.
“I’ll make a decision on Cole, Reece, and Malo tomorrow; I’m giving them some extra time,” Rosenior told reporters. “I appreciate that doing the press conference two days before is not ideal, but I’ve got time to make a decision as to whether they are available.”
The head coach insisted he would not gamble with his stars’ long-term fitness, adding: “There is no reason to take risks on players’ health if you believe that we can win the game.”
Midfield reshuffle
While the Blues escaped the weekend without new injuries, they will definitely be without Moises Caicedo. The Ecuadorian midfielder is set to serve a one-match suspension, leaving a significant gap in the centre of the pitch for the visit of Mikel Arteta’s side.
Chelsea Team News:
- Suspended: Moises Caicedo (1 match)
- Doubtful: Cole Palmer, Reece James, Malo Gusto
- Available: Full squad from Charlton victory reported fit
A fresh start
The two-legged tie represents a massive opportunity for Rosenior to solidify his standing with the Chelsea faithful following his recent appointment. Arsenal, meanwhile, arrive in high spirits but will be wary of a “new manager bounce” in the blue half of London.
Kick-off at Stamford Bridge is scheduled for Wednesday evening, with the return leg at the Emirates Stadium to follow later this month.
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