Chelsea will face Bournemouth later today needing three points having won just one of their first four matches of the 2023/24 Premier League season.
Mauricio Pochettino has not won any of his last 13 away games in the Premier League dating back to his final days at Tottenham and has already lost to West Ham this season. Their only league win came against newly promoted side Luton Town and they will face a Cherries side who need a win to ease the pressure.
Bournemouth themselves are still waiting for their first win of the season, but Pochettino confirmed that record midfielder Enzo Fernandes, who scored over the weekend for Argentina, is on track to start after returning from the international break on Friday.
He told reporters before the match against Cherese: “We watched them today and I think he is good. He scored against Bolivia and I feel that he will be ready to start.”
While there is positive news for Fernandes, Pochettino appeared to hold his cards close to his chest when asked about fellow South American midfielder Moises Caicedo. He said he would have to take a look at it before making his decision.
He added: “Caicedo arrived a little later than him and we will have to evaluate him and then make a decision.”
In more injury-related news, Chelsea midfielder Romeo Lavia has been ruled out due to an ankle injury he sustained in training.
Club captain Reece James, Armando Broga and Benoit Badiashelli are close to returning but will not feature this weekend.
While Alex Scott, Bournemouth’s summer signing, is still just weeks away from making his debut.