Chelsea F.C. welcomes high-flying Fulham F.C to Stamford Bridge after a busy end to the January transfer window in pursuit of a much-needed result.
Chelsea Online News:
The Premier League action this weekend kicks off with the West London rivalry as Chelsea welcomes Fulham to Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea’s January transfer window was anything but frugal. With big-money high-profile signings, long contracts, and dizzying spending levels, Blues’ American owners have truly taken the football world by storm, leaving heads spinning in the offices of every top club across Europe.
More than £300 million was spent by the Chelsea throughout the winter transfer window, which culminated in the Premier League record signing of 2022 World Cup winner Enzo Fernandez from Benfica for £115 million in the final hours of deadline day.
Mykhailo Mudryk, Benoit Badiashile, Noni Madueke, and Malo Gusto were also added, each for £88.5 million, £35 million, and £26 million, respectively. The likes of Andrey Santos, David Datro Fofana, and Joao Felix aren’t included in the list because they are only the major permanent ones (loan).
The same concern is raised every time a new player joins Chelsea: how on earth are they managing to succeed while FFP is in place?
But returning to the field, Graham Potter appeared to be in serious trouble after a run of only one victory in 11 matches played at home.
However, a victory over Crystal Palace and a goalless draw at Anfield over the following weeks seemed to have lightened the manager’s pressure, but today is yet another crucial game for a team that has gained attention recently due to its spending spree but is still in tenth position in the standings.
Sasa Lukic, a midfielder for Torino who cost Fulham a modest £8 million in January, has lost twice in the Premier League, but the team is still seventh in the standings, two points clear of Friday’s opponents. Defeats by a score of 1-0 to Newcastle United, who are in good form, and
The Cottagers are aiming for their first-ever league double over their highly regarded London rivals after defeating the Blues 2-1 in the reverse match in January.
The visitors will be confident in their chances when they travel to Stamford Bridge this Friday since they have performed admirably during this overachieving season and are not under any pressure to play it safe in order to get crucial points.
Predicted lineups – Chelsea vs Fulham:
Chelsea XI (3-4-3): Arrizabalaga; Chalobah, Thiago Silva, Badiashile; Azpilicueta, Kovacic, Hall, Cucurella; Mount, Mudryk, Havertz
Fulham XI (4-3-3): Leno; Tete, Diop, Ream, Robinson; Palhinha, Reed, Andreas Pereira; Decordova-Reid, Mitrovic, Willian.
KICK-OFF AT STAMFORD BRIDGE:
🔵 Chelsea 0-0 Fulham ⚫
[HT]
Upcoming fixtures – Chelsea:
After facing Fulham, Chelsea will travel to the London Stadium to face relegation-threatened West Ham United in another London derby the following weekend, followed by an away trip to Signal Iduna Park to face Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League round of 16 first leg.
