Chelsea XI Pochettino should pick vs Sheffield United – Madueke, Cucurella and Mudryk as Silva returns

Chelsea XI Pochettino should pick vs Sheffield United – Madueke, Cucurella and Mudryk as Silva returns

After the chaotic stoppage time scenes at Stamford Bridge on Thursday night, attention has already switched to the weekend for Chelsea and Mauricio Pochettino.

The Blues edged a seven-goal thriller at home to Manchester United thanks to a hat-trick from Cole Palmer, that included two stoppage time goals, in what was a crucial three points for the west Londoners in their bid for European football. Sunday afternoon is a completely different challenge for Chelsea, though, with a trip to rock-bottom Sheffield United.

The Blades have won just three matches this season in the Premier League with Chris Wilder’s side on only 15 points with relegation looking almost a certainty for the club. Sunday’s opposition have conceded a staggering 80 goals this season, so it’s a game Chelsea will be expected to win.

But after a mentally-exhausting 100-plus minutes against Man United on Thursday night, will Pochettino be tempted to make some alterations to his team? Below, Bobby Vincent, Jake Stokes and Joe Doyle discuss what the Argentine should do at Bramall Lane.

Bobby Vincent

Djordje Petrovic did not have his best game against Man United. The Serbian goalkeeper could have been braver for United’s third goal. But there is no doubt Petrovic starts in Sheffield at the weekend.

Malo Gusto, likewise, did not have his best game on Thursday but the Frenchman has been brilliant overall this season. Marc Cucurella, though, performed well against Man United and is set to keep his spot in the side given the lack of training for Ben Chilwell recently.

In the centre of defence, I would drop Benoit Badiashile and replace him with Trevoh Chalobah. Axel Disasi – who has played considerably more minutes than anyone in the Chelsea squad this season – is almost a certainty to start in Yorkshire.

Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez will be the double pivot as usual, but there is more debate to be had about who starts in front of the two central midfielders. Palmer, the man of the moment and season from a Chelsea perspective, will continue on the right wing with Conor Gallagher in the No.10 role.

Mykhailo Mudryk should feature once again for Chelsea and receive his third successive start in the Premier League. Up front, Nicolas Jackson is once again expected to lead the line.

Bobby’s lineup: Petrovic; Gusto, Disasi, Chalobah, Cucurella; Caicedo, Enzo; Palmer, Gallagher, Mudryk; Jackson.

Jake Stokes

Other than some slightly concerning positioning for Manchester United’s equaliser, Petrovic hardly put a foot wrong on Thursday night. The Serbian shot-stopper will have been disappointed with the number of mistakes leading to shots on goal that his teammates conceded against the Red Devils.

So, it’s time for Pochettino to reintroduce Thiago Silva to the starting lineup. Ordinarily, as a left-footed centre-back, Badiashile may be preferred alongside the veteran defender but, with Sheffield United likely to throw the kitchen sink at Chelsea on Sunday, Disasi will be needed for his aerial prowess and character.

In midfield, either Enzo or Caicedo could be given a rest. Carney Chukwuemeka has been building his fitness and he certainly impressed during his half-hour cameo against Manchester United.

It’d be nice to see Cesare Casadei given some minutes off the bench if Palmer needs a rest. Noni Madueke also caught the eye on Thursday evening, so Pochettino could be tempted to finally give the England Under-21 international a well-deserved start on the right.

Mudryk needs a consistent run of games, meanwhile, Jackson keeps the frontline ticking. He may not always score but his general link-up play is excellent, bringing other players into the game.

While Pochettino bought himself time in the dugout with the win over Erik ten Hag’s side, there should not be three centre-halves on the bench again this weekend. Instead, the 52-year-old should look to bring in Josh Acheampong – a right-back from the academy who would be a far more natural replacement for Gusto off the bench than Alfie Gilchrist.

Jake’s lineup: Petrovic; Gusto, Disasi, Silva, Cucurella; Caicedo, Enzo; Madueke, Palmer, Mudryk; Jackson.

Joe Doyle

What do you do after such a chaotic game last time out? While Chelsea won the points on the day, in reality both sides showed why they’ve been struggling so much this season with so many mistakes across the match.

In terms of how to move on, Petrovic still starts in goal. While he was caught in no-man’s land for Garnacho’s second, the quality of the ball from Antony left him with little choice.

In defence it’s a little bit trickier. Gusto and Disasi were both subbed against United, but it didn’t look to be injury-related. For me, Gusto keeps his place at right-back, with Cucurella on the left flank.

There are issues for Chelsea in the centre, and there’s no getting away from that. Badiashile and Disasi look promising players, but there have been too many mistakes this season. I think Chalobah deserves another shot if he’s back and ready, and would probably play him alongside Disasi – there’s not much point giving Thiago Silva more game time this season if he is leaving in the summer.

The midfield pretty much picks itself at the moment, with Gallagher alongside Enzo and Caicedo – despite his error which handed United their first goal.

And in attack there’s only real one place of contention. Palmer has to play, and Jackson is pretty much a lock up front. So on the left it is pretty much a straight choice between Mudryk and Sterling. At the moment, I’d plump for the Ukrainian.

Joe’s lineup: Petrovic; Gusto, Disasi, Chalobah, Cucurella; Caicedo, Enzo, Gallagher; Palmer, Mudryk, Jackson.