Huge Problem: Chelsea face tactical issue with Enzo uncertainty for Everton clash
Mauricio Pochettino revealed on Friday afternoon that Enzo Fernandez will be assessed ahead of Chelsea’s Premier League clash with Everton on Monday night.
The Argentina international has not trained with the rest of the Blues squad since Sunday evening’s stalemate with Sheffield United at Bramall Lane. Enzo played the full 97 minutes (with stoppage time included) in South Yorkshire in another full match for the 23-year-old midfielder.
Only Axel Disasi, who is also set to be assessed ahead of Monday night’s game, Moises Caicedo and Conor Gallagher have played more minutes than Enzo’s 3225 this season. Between Enzo and Caicedo, who have formed a double pivot partnership this term, they have played over 7000 minutes for Chelsea in all competitions.
Pochettino has not had too much else to choose from in that regard. Gallagher has been preferred further up the pitch under the Argentine, while Romeo Lavia has featured just once since signing last summer – and will miss the remainder of the campaign through injury. Lesley Ugochukwu is still some weeks away from returning, too, leaving Chelsea very short in the centre of midfield.
Carney Chukwuemeka can be used there, but like Gallagher, Pochettino seems to prefer the England Under-21s international in a more advanced role. Cesare Casadei was recalled in January from his loan spell at Leicester City with Pochettino wanting to provide some cover for the likes of Caicedo and Enzo.
However, Casadei has only been on the pitch for 35 minutes in the Premier League and that is spread across four appearances. For whatever reason, Pochettino does not seem to trust the Italian midfielder just yet but he may have no choice than to play the former Inter Milan man on Monday night.
There is of course the option to drop Gallagher back alongside Caicedo, who looks a certainty to feature against Everton. If not, though, then Pochettino may have no choice than to use Casadei from the start at Stamford Bridge.
If there are any concerns about the young Italian’s physicality, then it is hardly the best game to bring him into for his first Premier League start. Everton are a very physical team and will be right up for it in west London as they look to fight against their latest Premier League points deduction.
Meanwhile, Disasi is also a doubt for the Blues. That leaves only Thiago Silva, Trevoh Chalobah, Benoit Badiashile and academy star, turned senior, Alfie Gilchrist, as the recognised central defenders for Pochettino to choose from.
Malo Gusto is expected to return to the side for the visit of the Toffees. The French right-back was left at home for the trip to Sheffield last weekend but there was no injury involved. Instead Pochettino wanted to rest Gusto.
Ben Chilwell could make the squad but will need to be assessed before the match at Stamford Bridge. Chilwell recently returned to ‘partial’ team training and Pochettino said they will need to do checks before determining whether or not the club’s vice-captain can feature.
