Frank Lampard has some key decisions to make for Chelsea’s London derby against Arsenal.
Chelsea lost at Newcastle despite dominating possession and at least a couple of changes seem likely against the Gunners.
One of them could see Ross Barkley starting in place of Mason Mount. A lack of support for lone striker Tammy Abraham has been evident in recent matches and Barkley could offer that from midfield.
In defence, Marcos Alonso is fit again and could get the nod over Emerson to return at left-back, with Cesar Azpilicueta switching over to right-back.
Boss Lampard is hoping to include Reece James but suggested at his pre-match press conference that the youngster might just miss out.
That would lead to Azpilicueta fitting back into his more natural position, with James given more time to shake off the injury he picked up at Newcastle.
“He’s got an injury to the back of his knee. It’s not as bad as it could have been, or we maybe thought,” Lampard said on Monday.
“He’s in contention but it’s going to be a tight call. We’re going to give him another 24 hours to see if it settles down. It’s settled down pretty quickly so far.”
Likely Chelsea line-up: Kepa, Azpilicueta, Rudiger, Christensen, Alonso, Jorginho, Kante, Barkley, Hudson-Odoi, Willian, Abraham.