Mauricio Pochettino can finally start dream defense to fix huge Chelsea problem with £35m recall
Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino could have two key defenders back in his squad to face Bournemouth after the international break.
Those tactical and team selection decisions have caused a lot of debate among social media with many left confused, particularly on Saturday, when Chilwell started in that role again despite Noni Madueke, Mykhailo Mudryk, and new signing Cole Palmer all being available.
Despite playing a back five, Chelsea really had only two attackers on the pitch in Raheem Sterling and Nicolas Jackson with the furthest forward of the midfield three in Conor Gallagher not exactly a creative hub.
The injuries to Christopher Nkunku and Carney Chukwuemeka appear to have really hampered Pochettino and Chelsea, however, the return of another duo could help matters improve.
Club captain Reece James suffered a hamstring injury just after the league opener against Liverpool but could return in the coming weeks after resuming individual training.
Meanwhile, football. london understands that Chelsea is expecting to have Benoît Badiashile fit for selection for their Premier League match with Bournemouth after the international break.
Having both fit and available again will come as a huge boost to Pochettino with seven options at his disposal to find his preferred backline and the shape he wants them to play in.
Gusto, signed from Lyon in January before being loaned back, was brought in specifically to cover James as injury issues continue to plague his career while the acquisition of Disasi was directly related to the long-term injury suffered by Wesley Fofana.
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Badiashile, who like Gusto was also signed in January, barely put a foot wrong during his spell in the Chelsea starting XI in the latter half of the 2022/23 season. The Frenchmen were often deployed alongside Silva and Fofana, although both could find themselves out of the team.
Fofana is obviously injured and in recent weeks Silva has come under criticism with the veteran defender taking umbrage at one suggestion from a fan that he should be dropped.
However, with Pochettino choosing to make James and Chilwell his captains, it could hint that Silva may be phased out of a regular spot in the starting XI.
Badiashile replacing Silva in the team would therefore not be too surprising and with that, Disasi could also find himself out of the picture. Continuing with a back five is certainly not out of the realms of possibility, however, when all defenders are fit, a back four of James, Badiashile, Colwill, and Chilwell seems the best setup.
In this case, both central defenders would be left-footed and, while not ideal, many teams play with two right-footed options which certainly proves that it is doable. Pochettino also has Gusto as an option to play in place of James while Disasi can also adequately cover the right-back position.
There is no obvious answer for Pochettino, however including Badiashile and James once they return will be very important as the pair have already proven just how important they are.
Mauricio Pochettino can finally start dream defense to fix huge Chelsea problem with £35m recall