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Youngsters Billy Gilmour and Tino Anjorin are in line to start, but N’Golo Kante misses through injury as Chelsea prepare to face Morecambe in the FA Cup.
Chelsea will attempt to advance to the FA Cup fourth round when they face League Two Morecambe FC at Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon.
Heading into the game, manager Frank Lampard received a new injury problem. Midfield mainstay N’Golo Kante has been ruled out of the game with a hamstring problem. The diminutive Frenchman joins Reece James and Andreas Christensen on the sidelines.
“Reece James is out of the game although he will be training with us tomorrow, but the game comes too soon. Same as Andreas Christensen and N’Golo Kante, who is also out with a minor hamstring injury, so he misses this game and is suspended by Fulham next Friday anyway. So we will do well, ”Lampard said in his pre-match press.
Chelsea vs Morecambe preview: probable lineups, prediction, tactics, team news and key stats
Despite having a nearly complete squad at his disposal, Lampard is expected to incorporate the changes when the Shrimps come to visit. Kepa Arrizabalaga, who has been displaced as a first choice by Edouard Mendy from the arc, is in line to make his 100th appearance for Chelsea against Morecambe on Sunday.
Without Reece James, César Azpilicueta becomes the automatic right-back pick, while Emerson Palmieri should replace Ben Chilwell on the opposite flank. Kurt Zouma and Thiago Silva are likely to be given a break, with Antonio Rudiger poised for a starting spot in center back alongside the rarely seen Fikayo Tomori.
Young Billy Gilmour, who has impressed in the handful of opportunities that have come his way since returning from injury, should start in the middle of the park in Kante’s absence. The Scotsman should have Jorginho for company, while Mateo Kovacic is lost.
Kai Havertz should be ranked No. 10 as he looks to find some form, with a game against the lower division team giving him a good chance to do so. The same goes for his compatriot Timo Werner, who hopes to end his goal drought, starting as Chelsea’s center forward against Morecambe.
Callum Hudson-Odoi should get the nod on the right flank ahead of Hakim Ziyech, following his goal in the loss to Manchester City last time out. On the opposite wing, Christian Pulisic could also rest, and young Tino Anjorin, who impressed in his full debut against Krasnodar last month, will likely get the nod on Sunday.
Chelsea predicted XI: Kepa; Azpilicueta, Tomori, Rudiger, Emerson; Jorginho, Gilmour; Hudson-Odoi, Havertz, Anjorin; Werner
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