Chelsea are expected to be without Reece James for Tuesday’s meeting with Southampton as the right-back is suffering with an illness.
James has played every minute of Chelsea’s four Premier League games so far, recently being deployed as a right-sided centre-back and giving his favoured wing-back spot to Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
Numerous sources have reported that James is unwell and has not travelled with the Chelsea squad for Tuesday’s game, giving manager Thomas Tuchel a real headache in defence.
In James’ place, Cesar Azpilicueta is likely to be deployed at centre-back or right-back, depending on Tuchel’s choice of system, with Loftus-Cheek tasked with most of the running ahead of him on the wing.
Scott Saunders, Graeme Bailey & Toby Cudworth bring you Talking Transfers, discussing Lucas Paqueta’s move to West Ham, Chelsea’s plans to sign Anthony Gordon, Wesley Fofana and Arsen Zakharyan and the latest from Old Trafford. Available on all audio platforms and the 90min YouTube channel.
If you can’t see the podcast embed, click here to download the episode in full!
However, Loftus-Cheek may be needed in midfield, where Conor Gallagher is suspended and N’Golo Kante is injured. Currently, Jorginho and a half-fit Mateo Kovacic are the only fit options for that role, which could bring about a call-up for summer signing Carney Chukwuemeka, who has been playing with the development side.
Tuchel also has Kalidou Koulibaly back at his disposal after the Senegal international missed the 3-0 defeat to Leeds through suspension.
Credit: 90min.com
