West Ham United vs Chelsea: Nathaniel Chalobah in frame for first Chelsea start
The England Under-21 midfielder has impressed Antonio Conte and could make his first starting appearance for Chelsea on Wednesday night
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Nathaniel Chalobah is in line to make his first Chelsea start against West Ham United at the London Stadium on Wednesday night. The 21-year-old midfielder has impressed Antonio Conte in his four substitute appearances this season and is now in contention to come into the team in the EFL Cup fourth round game tonight.
Chalobah made his Chelsea debut in the EFL Cup third round win at Leicester City on 20 September, and since then has appeared in Chelsea’s last three Premier League games, all of which they won, against Hull City, Leicester City and Manchester United. Now Conte is weighing up whether to start him for the first time this evening.
Conte confirmed at his press conference at Cobham yesterday lunchtime that he would rotate his team for the trip to West Ham. “If I decide to put some young players into the starting eleven,” Conte said, “it is only because I trust in these players, not to gift [an appearance]. This cup is an important cup for us. But this season we have only FA Cup and this cup to see the other players. For this reason tomorrow we can see probably some changes.”
England Under-21 international Chalobah’s Chelsea future had been in doubt over the summer, after a series of loan deals in recent years. But Conte soon decided that he wanted to keep him at Stamford Bridge, and rejected moves to take on him loan from Sevilla, Leicester City and Napoli, where he spent last season.
Chalobah was pleased to be part of the first team group at the start of the season, having been out on loan six times in his Chelsea career already. Now that he is part of the first team he is in line for a new deal, with less than two years remaining on his current contract. Talks have not opened yet but Chelsea are expected to start negotiations soon.
John Terry is also in line to come back into the team after shaking off a foot injury sustained at Swansea last month. Terry has been an unused substitute for Chelsea’s last two wins, against Leicester and Manchester United, but tonight he is likely to return to the starting eleven.
Chelsea have advised their 5,182 fans to arrive at the London Stadium more than one hour before kick-off, owing to the increased security presence at the game. West Ham United issued lengthy security advice of their own on Monday night, confirming that there would be “enhanced pre-entry security checks”, suggesting that supporters arrive long before the scheduled 7.45pm kick off.
Chelsea reinforced that message last night, telling their own supporters to arrive at 6.45pm at the latest. “All bags and persons will be searched on entry to the stadium,” a club statement said, “and fans are advised to arrive at the away turnstile no later than one hour before kick-off as this could take considerable time.” There will be no segregation between home and away fans before the game, although there will be afterwards.
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