Premier League

Reece James to return? - How Chelsea could line-up against Fulham

The right-back has returned to training and is in contention to start in a must-win game for Frank Lampard's Chelsea

 
8:00am on Friday 15th January 2021
By
Cameron Smith

Frank Lampard takes his Chelsea side to Craven Cottage in a game that he simply has to win with his future at the club in doubt.

He's been handed a boost with the return to fitness of influential right-back Reece James, who has recovered from a hamstring problem that has ruled him out of the past few matches.

Andreas Christensen is also fully fit after shaking off a recent knock suffered against Aston Villa, although is unlikely to start given Kurt Zouma and Thiago Silva are first-choice.

The only absentee for Lampard is N'Golo Kante who will miss the match through the suspension, after picking up five yellow cards.

The Frenchman's absence could hand Billy Gilmour a chance to start, after the youngster impressed against Morecambe in the FA Cup.

Mason Mount, and Kai Havertz both scored against the Shrimps last weekend, and their performance may mean it's an unchanged midfield from the one that started in the 4-0 win.

Callum Hudson-Odoi was also on the scoresheet, and his recent form has caught the eye so it's likely that he will start on the left-wing, with the creative Hakim Ziyech on the other flank.

The major decision Lampard will have to make is who will start up front.

Timo Werner finally ended his goal drought against Morecambe, but both Tammy Abraham and Olivier Giroud will be pushing for a start.

The Frenchman may edge it, simply due to the deep-block Fulham are likely to adopt.

Chelsea vs Fulham - Football tactics and formations

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