With the international break coming up, Saturday’s visit to Stoke will be a great opportunity get themselves back on track with a victory at the Britannia Stadium.
However, they’ll have to do it without Jose Mourinho, who will serve out a one-match stadium ban for comments he made after the defeat to West Ham in October.
A midweek win in the Champions League will have gone some way to alleviating the pressure Mourinho is currently under, so will he keep the same side as he fights to keep his job and raise Chelsea from their lowly position of fifteenth?
GK: Asmir Begovic
No reason to change, though Mourinho will be hoping he won’t be too distracted by Bosnia’s upcoming Euro 2016 playoff with Ireland.
RB: Cesar Azpilicueta
The Spaniard will be back in his usual position due to the ongoing injury problems with Branislav Ivanovic.
CBs: Gary Cahill & John Terry
The usual centre-back pairing had better be at their best to deal with the speed and power of Stoke’s attacking players.
LB: Abdul Baba Rahman
The Ghanaian may be given a chance to shine in the left-back slot.
CMs: Cesc Fabregas & Ramires
Fabregas still isn’t back to his best yet, but Ramires has been more convincing.
AMR: Willian
The standout star of Chelsea’s season so far.
AML: Eden Hazard
Hazard would do well to keep a close watch on Willian for guidance to get himself back on track.
AMC: Oscar
Like Willian, Oscar will provide a potent threat going forward.
ST: Diego Costa
With an extended break on the horizon, The Blues can get away with using the Spanish international from the start.