Risking N’Golo Kante and dropping Gary Cahill

Chelsea’s poor start to the 2017-18 campaign reached its nadir on Tuesday when they suffered a comprehensive 3-0 defeat to Roma in the Champions League.

Antonio Conte enjoyed a dream first season in the Premier League as his side won the title by seven points, but Chelsea have been unable to rediscover that level of form this term, succumbing to four defeats before the start of November.
Serie A giants Roma put three past the reigning champions in midweek in what must have been Conte’s lowest moment since taking over in the Stamford Bridge hot-seat in April 2016.
But the Italian cannot afford to feel sorry for himself with another huge fixture on the horizon as Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United prepare to head to the English capital.

DEFENCE

Chelsea’s defence has been uncharacteristically sloppy in recent weeks – the side conceded 11 goals in six games in October – and the performance in Rome left much to be desired.
Conte may be tempted to make changes to the back three that started against Roma, with Cesar Azpilicueta potentially replacing Gary Cahill and summer signing Davide Zappacosta slotting in at right wing-back.

Chelsea 2017/18 Fixtures

Manchester United (H) – Sun 5 Nov
West Brom (A) – Sat 18 Nov
FK Qarabag (A) – Wed Nov 22 (Champions League)
Liverpool (A) – Sat 25 Nov
Swansea (H) – Wed 29 Nov
Newcastle (H) – Sat 2 Dec
Atletico Madrid (H) – Tue 5 Dec (Champions League)
West Ham (A) – Sat 9 Dec

MIDFIELD

The real dilemma is whether Chelsea risk N’Golo Kante, who has missed the last six games after sustaining a hamstring injury during the international break.
Kante suggested he had a 50-50 chance of returning against Manchester United after being in contention to face Roma, and Chelsea’s medical staff are hoping to convince the Frenchman to make himself available for this weekend’s action.

N’Golo Kante has missed several games through injury (Picture: Getty)

In truth, Chelsea simply cannot afford to drop more points as they are already in danger of being cut adrift in the title race with in-form Manchester City storming ahead. The midfield partnership of Cesc Fabregas and Tiemoue Bakayoko has not always flattered and restoring Kante can help Conte to rediscover the balance he craves.

ATTACK

Eden Hazard missed the start of the season after undergoing surgery on his ankle over the summer but has showed signs in recent weeks that he will soon hit top form again with braces for both Chelsea and Belgium.
The Ballon d’Or nominee also scored in the 1-0 win over Bournemouth last weekend and will hope to test United’s resolute defence on Sunday, with the help of Pedro and Alvaro Morata.

Chelsea face Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United on Sunday (Picture: Getty)