Chelsea news: The Blues face Wimbledon at Stamford Bridge in the Carabao Cup second round as they look to rotate their squad under Mauricio Pochettino.
Chelsea get their Carabao Cup campaign off to a start with a favourable home tie against League Two outfit Wimbledon on Wednesday night. In what will be Mauricio Pochettino's first taste of knockout cup action in charge, the Blues are looking to progress into the third round.
Having finished 12th last year they entered the cup one round earlier than usual with sides in European places not part of the draw until after this point. Having beaten Luton last time out, Pochettino's first official win as boss, he will be hopeful of carrying that momentum into the game at Stamford Bridge.
Wimbledon themselves have made a solid start to their campaign by winning two of their opening five matches and drawing the other three. It puts them within reach of the top of the league at this early stage.
Welcoming lower league opposition to SW6 in a tournament widely used for resting influential stars offers outsiders some gametime including academy hopefuls. Whilst the Under 21 side got their EFL Trophy off to a bad start, losing 4-1 away to League Two early pace setters MK Dons, there was a hint at who may be taking the step up into first team duties.
Leo Castledine, who has started the season brilliantly, was involved and will now likely not get a chance in the senior squad whilst other impressive youth figures Ronnie Stutter and Alfie Gilchrist were also present. They are the bulk of players that may have seen this as a chance to feature up a level but their appearance for Mark Robinson's men makes that extremely unlikely now.
Goalkeeper Eddie Beach was also included having been in the squad under Pochettino for pre-season and some league games already this year. Lucas Bergstrom may well get the nod in the matchday 20-man squad alongside Robert Sanchez as new signing Djordje Petrovic waits on confirmation of a work permit.
19-year-old Lesley Ugochukwu could be in line for his first start after a handful of bright cameos. Mason Burstow is expected to keep his place having been a substitute in the absence of Armando Broja or another senior striker in recent weeks whilst Diego Moreira has trained with the first team and academy sides as he gets his feet under the table.
Although Pochettino admitted that he is not yet ready before Luton, this could be a chance to build up his fitness. "He needs a few weeks to be ready to be involved with the team," the Argentine said last week. "He is working to try and catch his team-mates."
Elsewhere Trevoh Chalobah is out with injury and is expected to leave the club before the end of the summer window. Mykhailo Mudryk could return from his own injury setback though as Noni Madueke eyes up some serious minutes following a disjointed pre-season and start to the campaign.
Here is the predicted 20-man squad for Wimbledon:
Goalkeepers: Lucas Bergstrom, Robert Sanchez
Defenders: Malo Gusto, Levi Colwill, Thiago Silva, Axel Disasi, Ian Maatsen, Bashir Humphreys, Ben Chilwell
Midfielders: Romeo Lavia, Lesley Ugochukwu, Conor Gallagher, Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez,
Attackers: Raheem Sterling, Noni Madueke, Nicolas Jackson, Mykhailo Mudryk, Mason Burstow, Diego Moreira
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Let's go chelsea