Strongest Chelsea XI to Face Stoke City: Djilobodji and Traore to Start

Chelsea, after their 2-1 loss to West Ham last Saturday is all set to take on Stoke City in the Capital One Cup round of 16 clash. Manager Jose Mourinho is expected to make several changes to the squad as he won’t be willing to risk his team for the Premier League match against Liverpool. How will the defending Champions line up? Here is their probable playing XI

New signing Marco Amelia is expected to play for the Blues ahead of Asmir Begovic, who has had a mixed season so far in the absence of Thibaut Courtois.

With Ivanovic injured, Jose Mourinho tried Cesar Azpilicueta and Kurt Zouma as the right-back with Baba Rahman in the left. With Zouma likely to be rested, Mourinho might start with Rahman and Azpi as the fullbacks. There are more chances of seeing Senegalese new signing Papy Djilobodji starting in he defence alongside either John Terry or Gary Cahill. Most likely Cahill will start against the Potters with Djilobodji getting his first full debut in Chelsea.

With Nemanja Matic already ruled out of the clash, courtesy a red card he received in the West Ham game, English midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek is set to start for Jose Mourinho’s men alongside Nigerian John Obi Mikel, who might start ahead of Cesc Fabregas as the two holding midfielders. In he absence of Pedro, Bertrand Traore is expected to start in the right wing with Kenedy in the left. Brazilian playmaker Oscar is set to play behind the striker.

Like Pedro, French striker Loic Remy is also ruled out due to injury and Mourinho might not risk his first-choice striker Diego Costa. So in all likelihood, it will be misfiring Radamel Falcao, who will start as the striker for Chelsea in the Capital One Round of 16 clash.

Chelsea likely XI to face Stoke City: Marco Amelia, Cesar Azpilicueta, Papy Djilobodji, Gary Cahill, Baba Rahman, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, John Obi Mikel, Bertrand Traore, Oscar, Kenedy and Radamel Falcao.