Joao Pedro a doubt as Palmer returns for Man Utd

Palmer is back, but Joao Pedro is a doubt

Chelsea's team news before Saturday's home game against Manchester United is mixed. Cole Palmer is available again after his one-match ban (1). Reece James and Jamie Bynoe-Gittens are both out (1). Joao Pedro is a doubt (1).

289,000 fantasy managers have already sold Joao Pedro

Joao Pedro is the most-sold player of gameweek 9, with over 289,000 transfers out, and he carries a 75% injury flag before Saturday's match (3). If you have him, decide before the deadline.

Tottenham took the points at the Bridge

You lost 0–2 at home to Tottenham on Saturday 24 October. That leaves Chelsea 5th on 13 points from 8 games, with a goal difference of +2 (league table). Form is D L W W L. The wins against Bournemouth (5–1) and Everton (0–2) came with a blank in between at Brentford, where you lost 3–0. Manchester United at home is a chance to stop the slide.

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Gusto and Zubimendi on the rumour list

Chelsea's asking price for Malo Gusto has reportedly dropped from £70M, with a January move for the fullback being weighed elsewhere (2). Chelsea are also in the race for Martín Zubimendi, where Real Madrid are waiting (4) (6). Nothing confirmed on either.

Mansson, 17, on Chelsea's radar

Chelsea are tracking Oliver Mansson, a 17-year-old Swedish midfielder at Göteborg, with a possible loan move to RC Strasbourg (7).

Liverpool have absences before Wednesday's cup tie

Chelsea face Liverpool in the EFL Cup on Wednesday, and Liverpool are without Florian Wirtz and Victor Munoz (5). Dominik Szoboszlai is still out with a hamstring problem, but Andoni Iraola said he is "close" (9). On Wirtz, Iraola said: "Unfortunately, he had to leave the pitch with a small twist of the ankle" (8).

Fan reactions

Supporters are on memory lane, with Cesar Azpilicueta confirmed for the Legends squad to face Tottenham legends on March 27 and clips of Dave talking about returning to the Bridge doing the rounds. There is also a nod of pride for Marc Cucurella, who placed 18th in the Ballon d'Or rankings. The Azpilicueta thread has the most chatter.

Sources

  • 1. thefalse9.com — Chelsea Injury News: Joao Pedro a Doubt, James and Gittens Out
  • 2. mancitynews.com — Chelsea Have ‘Dropped’ £70M Asking Price As Man City Weigh Up January Swoop
  • 3. thefalse9.com — Joao Pedro FPL GW9: Sell or Hold as 289,000 Managers Bail on Injury Doubt
  • 4. bernabeudigital.com — El Chelsea se mete de lleno en el fichaje de Zubimendi: el Real Madrid espera
  • 5. sportsmole.co.uk — Liverpool injury, suspension list and return dates for Chelsea: Florian Wirtz, Dominik Szoboszlai, Victor Munoz latest
  • 6. bernabeudigital.com — Complicaciones para el Real Madrid en el mercado de fichajes
  • 7. sport.fr — Un crack de 17 ans dans le viseur de Chelsea… et du RC Strasbourg ?
  • 8. liverpooloffside.sbnation.com — Injuries Cement Rotation for League Cup Tie Against Chelsea
  • 9. thefalse9.com — Szoboszlai Injury Update and Return Date: Iraola Says He Is Close
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