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Football London
Football London
Sport
Alan Smith

Chelsea vs Sheffield United depth chart: Pedro a doubt but is Rudiger ready to return?

Now that Frank Lampard has had time to digest his first win as Chelsea manager, his attention turns to Saturday's home game against Sheffield United at Stamford Bridge.

While Pedro's hamstring injury, sustained during the warm up at Carrow Road, means that he is a doubt for the visit of Chris Wilder's side, the 3pm kick off may also see the return of Antonio Rudiger, who completed 90 minutes for the Under-23s last week.

football.london assesses Lampard's depth chart below...

Goalkeeper

Chelsea are still waiting for a first clean sheet of the season and even if you factor in pre-season games, there has been just one (away to St Patrick's Athletic in Dublin).

Yet it is hard to apportion too much blame to Kepa Arrizabalaga, who has been in excellent form for the most part so far.

Frank Lampard: I'm celebrating with wine and a baby monitor

Willy Caballero will likely be waiting for the Carabao Cup to get his first competitive minutes of the campaign.

Right back

Cesar Azpilicueta had received plenty of criticism in the opening weeks of the season but he appeared far more assured against Norwich and also provided the assist for Tammy Abraham's first goal.

Needs more of the same against Sheffield United, whose overlapping centre backs could ensure a busy day for the Spaniard.

Centre back

Having played for the Under-23s last week, it will be interesting to see if Antonio Rudiger steps in to the heart of defence this Saturday or if he will be held in reserve until after the international break.

 

Kurt Zouma and Andreas Christensen have hardly formed a steady partnership and Rudiger's return should provide some much-needed solidity.

Fikayo Tomori will get game time as the season progresses but for now patience is required.

Left back

Despite the defensive concerns, Emerson Palmieri has been increasingly impressive on the left side of the back four, meaning that last year's first-choice Marcos Alonso, who came on in injury time for Mason Mount against Norwich, must bide his time.

Midfield

One of the most notable moments of Saturday's victory was the travelling support chanting Jorginho's name. The Italian has been an assured presence at the base of midfield, with N'Golo Kante continuing to struggle with injuries.

Mateo Kovacic continued his steady start to the campaign on the right of Jorginho against Norwich, while Ross Barkley was brought in on the left of a 4-3-3.

Further forward, as a result of Pedro's late injury, Lampard tweaked the system against Norwich, with Mason Mount moved to the left and Christian Pulisic shifted to the right.

It is evident that both are first-choice selections but exactly how they line up will be fluid from game to game. Willian has work to do if he is to regain a regular starting role.

Strikers

Tammy Abraham's brace will ensure that he continues as first-choice for now, with Olivier Giroud held in reserve and Michy Batshuayi remaining on the outer fringes of Lampard's squad.


Once the Champions League gets going next month, there will be more rotation but the pecking order is clear for now.

 

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