Axel Disasi or Renato Veiga could come in to freshen Chelsea’s backline when they face Ipswich Town at Portman Road on Monday night.
Enzo Maresca’s side travel to Suffolk for their third Premier League game in nine days following a 0-0 draw with Everton and a 2-1 defeat to Fulham, a pair of results which some have claimed rules them out of the title race.
Chelsea head coach Maresca has hinted that he will rotate his squad for the clash against Kieran McKenna’s Ipswich, who are famously supported by singer Ed Sheeran.
‘I think in December, we already played eight or nine games in 25 or 27 days,’ Maresca said after Chelsea’s west London derby loss to Fulham on Boxing Day.
‘If we are going to make one, two or three changes (against Ipswich) we will see. Now it’s a bit early to say we will change something.’
Noni Madueke was dropped for ‘technical’ reasons for the clash with Fulham but is back in contention for Monday’s showdown with Ipswich.
Nicolas Jackson could potentially be handed a rest with Christopher Nkunku hoping for a rare Premier League start.
Question marks remain over the fitness of Chelsea midfielder Romeo Lavia, who has been recovering from a hamstring injury.
Robert Sanchez and Levi Colwill are expected to start despite both players receiving criticism after the 2-1 defeat to Fulham last time out.
Sanchez; Disasi, Tosin, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Madueke, Palmer, Felix; Nkunku
Ipswich Town vs Chelsea kicks off at 7.45pm on Monday, December 30.
The Ipswich vs Chelsea clash will not be shown live in the UK. You cannot watch it on televisions in the United Kingdom or live stream it.
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