Seven out, Lavia & Caicedo chances, Madueke boost: Full Chelsea team news to face West Ham

Mauricio Pochettino has learned his full Chelsea team news for their Premier League clash against West Ham.

Chelsea travel to the London Stadium on Sunday afternoon for their second game of the 2023/24 season. They will be keen to get their first win under their belt after an opening day draw to Liverpool.

West Ham also drew last weekend after being held by AFC Bournemouth and Pochettino expects Chelsea to endure a tough battle in the capital.

“It’s going to be tough. We know how they are going to play. They are beginning to change the shape but it’s always going to be tough. All of the Premier League games will be difficult.

“They are a very good team doing a great job. Last season, they lifted a trophy, so they are very confident. For sure, it’s going to be tough.”

Here is the latest Chelsea team news for the Premier League clash in east London against West Ham.

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Seven sidelined

Chelsea offered an updated list of who is currently sidelined, including the latest injury to Reece James, who has been ruled out for around a month with a hamstring problem sustained in training.

• Marcus Bettinelli – continuing to undergo his rehabilitation programme.
• Benoit Badiashile – at the end stages of his rehabilitation programme.
• Trevoh Chalobah – continuing to undergo his rehabilitation programme.
• Wesley Fofana – continuing with the early rehabilitation stages following surgery.
• Reece James – starting rehabilitation having undergone assessments on an injury sustained in training this week.
• Christopher Nkunku – beginning the early stages of rehabilitation following surgery.
• Armando Broja – at the end stages of his rehabilitation programme.

Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia’s chances of Chelsea debuts

Caicedo and Lavia completed their moves to Stamford Bridge this week for a combined £173 million and were registered in time for the London derby.

Whether or not they will make their debuts was being decided by Pochettino after the final training session ahead of the game. It’s likely that Caicedo has more of a chance to play due to signing for Chelsea earlier on in the week.

Pochettino told reporters on Friday: “We have one day more to assess them, but it has been stressful weeks for Moises and Romeo also. It would be easy to say they would be involved but the most important thing is to avoid risks and not to rush with them.

“If they are ready tomorrow (on Saturday from training), they will be involved but if not, we will wait a few days more to be involved in the squad.”

Noni Madueke boost

Pochettino confirmed the 21-year-old will make his first appearance of the season after recovering from a hamstring injury.

“He’s much better,” Pochettino told reporters on Madueke’s fitness. “He would have been involved against Liverpool but it was too early.

“He was training really well during the week and he is going to be involved in the game against West Ham.”