Here is your Chelsea morning digest for Friday, January 8.
Wright criticises Kante
Former Arsenal and England striker Ian Wright believes Chelsea midfielder N'Golo Kante is one of the Blues' most out-of-form players as Frank Lampard's side have tumbled out of the Premier League's top four.
Kante was powerless to prevent Chelsea from falling to a fourth league defeat in their last six matches on Sunday as they were beaten 3-1 by Manchester City at Stamford Bridge, with Pep Gurdiola's side blowing the west London club away with a sublime first-half showing.
Whilst Timo Werner and Kai Havertz, in particular, have come in for hefty-sized criticism, Wright claims Kante has been one of the Blues' poorest performers in recent weeks.
"Chelsea have got a lot of players that are not on form, not playing very well,” Wright said.
“Even seeing N’Golo Kante [against Man City], he was just all over the place. Kante looked like he was confused with where he was meant to be.
“He leads by example by the way he goes around the football pitch, but recently we’re seeing him being pulled out all over the place.”
Blues youngsters to benefit from rule change
After four defeats in their last six league games, Chelsea will welcome a break from Premier League action this weekend when they face Morecambe in the FA Cup third round.
With the Blues set to enter the contest as overwhelming favourites, Blues head coach Frank Lampard is highly likely to rotate his pack, handing a rare opportunity to impress to some of his fringe players.
The visit of the League Two Shrimps will also hand an opportunity to some of the club's younger players, with the FA confirming that clubs will be allowed to name nine substitutes on their bench and be allowed to make up to five alterations.
That means that several of Chelsea younger players, including the likes of Jude Soonsup-Bell and Lewis Bate, could be handed an opportunity to prove their worth at first-team level.
Click here to read the full story and the FA's statement.
Lampard poised to rest senior stars
As outlined above, the visit of Morecambe to Stamford Bridge will hand Lampard the opportunity to rest some of his regular first-team starters, including the likes of Edouard Mendy, Thiago Silva, Ben Chilwell and Mason Mount.
Whilst the Blues will be under huge pressure to get back to winning ways after their recent league troubles, Lampard will be placing a firmer focus on the upcoming Premier League meetings with Fulham and Leicester City.
That means that mass changes are a certainty, especially when you take into account the busy Christmas and New Year period the Blues had to battle their way through.
