Liam Rosenior to consider 10 changes for first game as Chelsea given fresh injury scare

Liam Rosenior is facing some tough decisions regarding his first Chelsea line-up with the Blues making the trip to face Charlton Athletic at the weekend

Liam Rosenior will take charge of his first Chelsea game on Saturday night as the Blues make the short trip to Championship side Charlton Athletic.

The Valley plays host for Rosenior’s debut in the Chelsea dugout, with his new side going into the FA Cup third round tie as overwhelming favourites. The newly-appointed Blues head coach watched on from the stands at Craven Cottage on Wednesday evening as his side were beaten by Fulham in the Premier League.

Chelsea will be without Marc Cucurella against Charlton after the left-back was shown a straight red card just 22 minutes into the defeat in west London for pulling down Harry Wilson, who was bearing down on goal. Cucurella will serve a one-match suspension, meaning he will not be available for selection against the Championship outfit, but will be eligible to take on Arsenal a few days later in the first-leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final versus Arsenal.

That means Rosenior will be forced into at least one change when he picks his first-ever XI for Chelsea on Saturday. But the 41-year-old is set to make much more in terms of alterations to the side that were beaten at Fulham just over 72 hours before their cup tie with Charlton.

Filip Jorgensen could start in goal at The Valley. Chelsea’s second-choice goalkeeper quite often comes in for the cup ties and given Robert Sanchez returned from a knock at Fulham, Rosenior may take the time to give the Spaniard a rest.

Malo Gusto left Craven Cottage on Wednesday night limping, so it remains to be seen whether that was an injury the Frenchman suffered or perhaps a bit of cramp. Either way, there was a good chance Gusto would not start at Charlton either, with Josh Acheampong an option to come in at right-back to deputise for the France international.

Wesley Fofana returned to the Chelsea squad on Wednesday and could come back into the side on Saturday. Perhaps with Benoit Badiashile alongside him, with this being the perfect opportunity to give Trevoh Chalobah, who has already played so much football this season, a rest.

Jorrel Hato is set to come in for the suspended Cucurella. The Dutchman impressed when coming on in the first-half on Wednesday night and will be eager to make a positive first impression in front of his new head coach.

Andrey Santos could keep his place in the side in the capital. The Brazil international, who shone while playing under Rosenior at Strasbourg last season, was sacrificed in the first-half of Wednesday’s loss to Fulham. Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez could be rested ahead of next week’s semi-final against Arsenal at Stamford Bridge.

Reece James could come into midfield. Rosenior will have to speak to the medical department regarding his captain to see whether he can play a big part against Charlton and then the Gunners a few days later.

Estevao Willian was an unused substitute at Craven Cottage in the week. The Brazilian winger could start on the right-hand side against the Addicks, with Facundo Buonanotte making a rare appearance in the No.10 role for the Blues.

On the left-hand side, Jamie Gittens could start. There is a shout for Alejandro Garnacho, but it depends on whether Rosenior wants to use the Argentine winger against Arsenal. There could be rests for Joao Pedro and Liam Delap, with Marc Guiu perhaps the sole No.9 on Saturday evening.

Potential Chelsea XI: Jorgensen; Acheampong, Fofana, Badiashile, Hato; Santos, James; Estevao, Buonanotte, Gittens; Guiu