Chelsea set to host AFC Wimbledon in the Carabao Cup second round tonight, as Tottenham have left out the competition after a defeat to Fulham in a penalty shootout yesterday.
Pochettino said in his press conference: “All of the competitions are important for Chelsea.
The circumstances aren’t the best at the moment because we have many injuries.
We need to deal after with a Saturday game against Nottingham Forest.
Chelsea have 11 players unavailable to face the League Two minnows, including fellow summer signing Romeo Lavia who still lacks match fitness.
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The problems offer a chance for Chelsea’s younger players to impress, with Lesley Ugochukwu in line to make his first start since his £23million move from Rennes this summer.
Noni Madueke and Ian Maatsen could also start under Pochettino for the first time as he plans to rest some players.
Pochettino confirmed that “four or five” players aged between “16 and 17” could be involved with Mason Burstow, Diego Moreira, Eddie Beach and Bashir Humphreys on the bench for Chelsea’s 3-0 win over Luton on Friday night.
Marc Cucurella – a target for Manchester United before Friday’s transfer deadline – could come in for 38-year-old Thiago Silva as Malo Gusto, Axel Disasi, Levi Colwill complete the back four.
Ugochukwu, Maatsen and Conor Gallagher could be the midfield three with Madueke, Raheem Sterling and Nicolas Jackson in attack.
Possible Chelsea Lineup:
Sanchez;
Gusto, Disasi, Colwill, Cucurella;
Ugochukwu, Gallagher;
Madueke, Maatsen, Sterling; Jackson
