London Football News

Chelsea v Newcastle: Lampard’s expected line-up against the Magpies

Chelsea and their stand-out young players will get another chance to shine when they take on Newcastle at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues will be heavy favourites and the Magpies have had a troubled start under Steve Bruce – but Newcastle beat Manchester United before the international break and previously won at Tottenham, so are not to be underestimated.

Chelsea boss Frank Lampard is again without N’Golo Kante, who picked up a groin injury while on international duty with France.

Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Lampard said: “He’s not fit. He had a small groin issue in the warm-up to the first international game with France. We didn’t get him back until after the second game and he’s not fit for Saturday.”

Antonio Rudiger is also out, while Andreas Christensen has been sidelined by a hamstring injury, but Lampard added that Mateo Kovacic and Ross Barkley are fit.

Without Rudiger and Christensen, Lampard is set to continue with the defensive partnership of Kurt Zouma and Fikayo Tomori.

Barkley, who scored for England this week, might well get the nod ahead of Kovacic.

And with Callum Hudson-Odoi working his way back to full fitness, the experienced duo of Willian and Pedro are again set to play off striker Tammy Abraham.

Likely Chelsea line-up: Kepa Arrizabalaga, Cesar Azpilicueta, Kurt Zouma, Fikayo Tomori, Emerson Palmieri, Jorginho, Ross Barkley, Mason Mount, Willian, Pedro, Tammy Abraham.




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