Chelsea have had a disappointing start to season under Frank Lampard, especially at the Stamford Bridge where Frank has failed to win as the Blues’ head coach in all of his four attempts. But Carabao Cup comes to his rescue, as Chelsea will host League Two side Grimsby Town tonight.
Now, Chelsea will be the favorites to win over Grimsby but never say never especially after Tottenham’s loss to Colchester United last night.
Lampard confirmed that Callum Hudson-Odoi and Reece James will be given their much anticipated chances against Grimsby. Couple of Chelsea defenders in Andreas Christensen and Emerson Palmieri went off injured during their defeat to Liverpool at the weekend, but they are handed a double boost ahead of the League Cup clash.
‘[Hudson-Odoi and James will] be involved on Wednesday night, they’ll be involved,’ Frank Lampard said ahead of the game.
‘We certainly need to look at players who haven’t been playing as much against Grimsby.
‘We’ll pay them due respect, but it certainly is minutes for certain players who haven’t been there.
‘Callum is on the road to recovery. It was a long injury so he needs game time.
‘And Reece, similarly, so yeah there’ll be some different changes but I expect the same level of performance.
‘And what I don’t want to lose is the feeling of tonight [against Liverpool], the feeling of how we can be and it’s important we keep that.’
With recent brush of injury to Mason Mount, Christian Pulisic is expected to be given his opportunity.
Mason made a remarkable recovery after getting off in Chelsea’s Champions League clash against Valencia by what-seemed-to-be-horror-tackle in hands of Francis Coquelin.
Callum Hudson-Odoi will make his return from Achilles injury he picked uo in last April but with rather a clear mindset after penning new five year deal at the Bridge.
Meanwhile, academy graduate James could finally make his first team debut for the Blues after undergoing ankle surgery in summer.
