Early Chelsea boost as Mauricio Pochettino confirms 22y/o will start in Bournemouth game

Last year, Chelsea defeated Bournemouth twice, including a 3-1 victory in May at the Vitality Stadium.

Chelsea will play Bournemouth later today in need of three points after winning just one of their first four Premier League games in 2023/2024.

Since his final days at Tottenham, Mauricio Pochettino has played in 13 away Premier League games without a victory, and he has already suffered a loss on the road this year against West Ham. His lone league victory came against recently promoted Luton Town, and he will face the Cherries needing a victory to relieve the strain.

Even though Bournemouth is yet to record a victory this season, Pochettino has stated that Enzo Fernandez, a record-breaking midfielder for Argentina who scored over the weekend, will start after arriving from the international break on Friday.

“We saw them today and I think he is good,” he told reporters prior to the Cherries game. “He scored against Bolivia and I feel he will be ready to start.”

Even while there is good news for Fernandez, Pochettino didn’t seem forthcoming when questioned about fellow South American midfielder Moises Caicedo. He stated that before making a decision, he would need to assess the situation.

Caicedo arrived a little later than he did, so we will have to evaluate him before making a choice, he continued.

Romeo Lavia, a midfielder for Chelsea, is sidelined with an ankle injury received during practice.

Reece James, the team captain, Armando Broja, and Benoit Badiashile all close to returning but won’t play this weekend.

Alex Scott, a summer addition for Bournemouth, won’t make his debut for a few more weeks.