Why Robert Sanchez and Wesley Fofana aren’t in Chelsea squad today – and when they could be back | OneFootball

Chelsea’s team for today’s game is out, and right away there were some very notable things in it.

We knew that there would be changes – we played in midweek for one thing, so there’s a need to rotate. Then there’s Moises Caicedo out suspended, and Marc Cucurella out with a hamstring problem. Calum McFarlane is taking charge today, and hasn’t been handed an easy task.

Chelsea miss two key defensive players

Nizaar on Wesley Fofana and Robert Sanchez issues.

But these other changes were less expected. Robert Sanchez is not in the squad at all, and according to Nizaar Kinsella that’s because of a “small muscle issue.”

The BBC writer clearly has a source with good knowledge of the situation, because he assures readers that the keeper will be back for the Fulham game next Wednesday.

Wesley Fofana was never certain to play today anyway, given he’s on a very careful minute count and started in midweek. But he’s also not in the squad at all – and according to Kinsella, that’s because of a fever.

It’s a little suspicious – perhaps he just didn’t fancy taking a 5-0 beating? There are also rumour he got sick while flying on holiday earlier this week, which isn’t ideal.

The upshot of it all is that the back 5 looks very shaky. We’ve got a backup goalkeeper, our second choice right back playing left back, our third choice right back at right back, and our third and fourth choice central defenders starting.

Against Erling Haaland and Man City. This could get very, very messy.

In other news…

Chelsea’s full team for this game included some interesting changes, including in goal and on the wing where Estevao Willian came in after impressing in midweek.

You can see how this team compares to the one we predicted by checking out our predicted lineup piece for the game here.