Chelsea: How Blues could line-up in Europa League final against Arsenal following Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s injury

Chelsea: How Blues could line-up in Europa League final against Arsenal following Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s injury
Ruben Loftus-Cheek suffered an injury blow in Chelseas post-season friendly in America and is now unlikely to play in the Europa League final.The midfielder picked up an ankle injury during the Blues 3-0 win over New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium.Getty5

Ruben Loftus-Cheek has scored 10 goals in all competitions for Chelsea this season

Ross Barkley scored twice either side of Olivier Girouds header in the victory in Foxborough.Prior to the game, manager Maurizio Sarri expressed his concerns about travelling to the US so close to a major European final.Chelsea play Arsenal in the final in Baku on Wednesday, May 29.Getty5

Ruben Loftus-Cheek scored in the Europa League semi-final against Eintracht Frankfurt

He did name a strong starting line-up for the match with the likes of Eden Hazard, David Luiz and Pedro all starting.Loftus-Cheek was seen leaving the stadium in a protective boot and he is facing a year on the sidelines if the injury is as bad as feared.The 23-year-old has played a key role in the Blues Europa League success this season and scored in the second leg of the semi-final against Eintracht Frankfurt.

LIVE ON talkSPORT

talkSPORT is your home of live football! Here's what's coming up on talkSPORT and talkSPORT 2...

• Portsmouth vs Sunderland (Thursday, 7:45pm) – talkSPORT 2
• Charlton vs Doncaster (Friday, 7:45pm) – talkSPORT 2
• Manchester City vs Watford (Saturday, 5pm) – talkSPORT

He has also been directly involved in nine goals in his past 15 competitive matches for the club.His absence will be a big blow for Sarri in his preparations for the final, which is less than a fortnight away.The manager is likely to be able to cope without starting Loftus-Cheek as he has only made six starts in the Premier League this season.The England international has been a key impact player from the bench, though, and has netted six times in the league.Getty5

N’Golo Kante is expected to be fit for the final

Another player Chelsea will be awaiting news on their fitness is midfielder NGolo Kante.The France international limped out of their final home game against Watford with a hamstring injury and missed the last two games.Kante is expected to be fit for the final against Arsenal and he remained in London to receive treatment while his team-mates went to America for the friendly.Here is how Chelsea could line-up without Ruben Loftus-Cheek in the Europa League.Build My Lineup5

How Chelsea could line-up for the Europa League final

There are unlikely to be any surprises for Maurizio Sarris side when they face Arsenal due to injury problems at certain positions and poor form elsewhere.Centre-back pairing David Luiz and Andreas Christensen are his strongest with the injury to Antonio Rudiger keeping him out.Getty5

Hazard appears to have just one more game to play for Chelsea before he leaves the club

If Kante is fit then his is likely to play alongside Jorginho and Kovacic in midfield. Ruben Loftus-Cheek may have been pushing to replace one of those in the line-up had he not gone down with the injury but it will have made the decision for Sarri.Ross Barkley scored twice in the charity friendly but he will likely be used from the bench. It may also be the last we see of Eden Hazard in a Chelsea shirt with his move to Real Madrid is thought to be close.Olivier Giroud is favourite at this stage to start up front against his former club with loanee Gonzalo Higuain struggling for goals since joining in January.

---

Craig Kimbrel, the other glaringly overqualified but evidently unemployable pitcher, Deadspin brings you the latest sports news, stories, videos, and more.
The Official Site of Major League Baseball | MLB.com

---

Barcelona are to prioritise a move for Celta Vigo star and former West Ham target Maxi Gomez in the summer due to his relationship with Uruguay teammate Luis Suarez, according to reports from Spain.
West Ham target two lethal strikers in bid to form new-look

---

The Chelsea loanees who could solve the club's current crisis, including Tammy Abraham and Mason Mount The Blues are desperately searching for a striker and a midfielder, but they have a wealth
Abraham, Mount, Zouma - The 6 Chelsea loanees Maurizio Sarri

---

Read up on all the profiles of Chelsea's on-loan players.
The 7 Chelsea loan players to benefit most from the transfer

---

Christian Dannemann Eriksen (Danish pronunciation: [ˈkʰʁεstjæn ˈtænəmæn ˈeːˀɐ̯iksn̩]; born 14 February 1992) is a Danish professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur and the Denmark national team.
Christian Eriksen Statistics | Premier League

---

Reece James: What those in the know say about the Chelsea loanee who has starred for Wigan in the Championship this season James has even emerged as a transfer target for Manchester United due to
What those in the know say about the Chelsea loanee who has
sportsalert.org/2019/04/24/what-those-in-the-know-say-about-the-chelsea-loanee-who-has-starred-for-wigan-in-the-championship-this-season/
Reece James has been one of the stars of the Championship this season where the young Chelsea defender has excelled during his season-long loan spell at Wigan. James, 19, is highly regarded at Stamford Bridge and is set for a bright future in the game.
Chelsea loanee Reece James to be given Wigan captaincy during

---

Former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho could mark his return to management with Bayern Munich, according to reports. The Bundesliga side have had a season to forget under Niko Kovac
Jose Mourinho Bayern Munich and PSG hint

---

For the latest news on Leeds United, including scores, fixtures, results, form guide & league position, visit the official website of the Premier League.
Premier League transfer rumours: Spurs to beat Liverpool to

---

Celtic 2-1 Rangers: Alfredo Morelos accepts fine after

---

Fulham 4-2 Brighton: Cottagers fight back from two goals down to seal incredible victory Aleksandar Mitrovic led the comeback with two goals as Claudio Ranieri's side edged closer to safety By
Fulham 4-2 Brighton: Cottagers fight back from two down to

---

Cesc Fabregas hits back at Arsenal fan on Twitter who criticised him over Barcelona switch Written by: fpnews Posted on: June 12, 2019 Cesc Fabregas has defended his record at Barcelona after an Arsenal fan questioned his decision to leave the Gunners.
Fabregas hits back at Arsenal fan who criticised him over

---