The international break gives Mauricio Pochettino the chance to step back and analyse Chelsea’s start to the new Premier League season

Chelsea have eight players with a point to prove during the international break (Image: Photo by Harriet Lander – Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)×

 

Like every other Premier League manager, Mauricio Pochettino will be hoping that his players return from the the international break fully fit. Chelsea already have numerous big names nursing injuries in the treatment room and, with the Blues struggling to climb the Premier League table, they need all hands on deck to transform their fortunes.

Following a disappointing defeat against Nottingham Forest, Pochettino has two-weeks to prepare for a must-win clash against Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium. The 51-year-old will be working closely with those who have not been called up by their country, so they have to chance to impress.

However, those who are away from Cobham training ground have just as much of a chance to force themselves into the Chelsea starting lineup by playing for their country. The international break is a great opportunity to pick up some much-needed form, so there will certainly be a few players on his radar.

With that being said, football.london has taken a look at the eight players who have a point to prove over the next two-weeks – regardless of whether they’re serving their country or with Pochettino on the training pitches at Cobham.

Djordje Petrovic

Petrovic, who Chelsea signed from New England Revolution over the summer, has been called up to the Serbia national squad ahead of two crucial European qualifiers against Hungary and Lithuania. The 23-year-old goalkeeper has only ever represented his country twice but, with Robert Sanchez yet to truly nail down a place between the sticks at Stamford Bridge, he has the chance to impress Pochettino.

Marc Cucurella

Cucurella was close to leaving Chelsea this summer, but a move to Manchester United collapsed after he was used against AFC Wimbledon in the Carabao Cup second round. Now, with Ben Chilwell clearly favoured by Pochettino and Ian Maatsen impressing whenever he’s given the chance, the Spaniard faces an uphill battle to secure a place in the starting lineup – let alone the matchday squad!

 

Trevoh Chalobah

Chalobah is another player who almost left Chelsea on deadline day, with a move to Bayern Munich failing to materialise. While the Blues are well-stocked on options at the back, the Cobham graduate has rarely ever put a foot wrong and remains a valuable asset for Pochettino.

Malang Sarr

While Cucurella and Chalobah were at least included in first-team preparations during pre-season, Sarr was not. He faces an increasingly uncertain future at Chelsea but, the Blues continue to pick up injuries, Pochettino may well call on the Frenchman to step in.

Lesley Ugochukwu

Ugochukwu has been called up to the France Under-21 squad by Thierry Henry. The teenager has an abundance of potential waiting to be unlocked and, if he can impress over the next two-weeks, then he could very well leapfrog Romeo Lavia – or even Moises Caicedo – for a place alongside Enzo Fernandez in the starting lineup.

Mykhailo Mudryk

Mykhailo Mudryk has been starved of opportunities to impress since he’s joined Chelsea, feeding off cameo appearances in ties whereby Chelsea find themselves in search of a goal against a low-block opposition. In fact, the 22-year-old has only ever completed 90 minutes in the Premier League once, starting just seven and coming off the bench in 11.

He still hasn’t been given a fair chance to build any momentum yet in a Blue shirt, so he’ll be looking to strut his stuff for Ukraine over the international break.

Armando Broja

While Nicolas Jackson has impressed since joining Chelsea, the Senegalese star has struggled to find the net. So, as Broja nears his return from injury at Cobham, he’ll be looking to impress Pochettino over the next two-weeks.

Devid Washington

Like Broja, Washington is another striker who Pochettino will be able to work with at Cobham. The teenage sensation looked set to secure a loan away from Chelsea but the club have decided to hold onto him. Healthy competition in the frontline is just what Pochettino will want.