Rahman’s installation into the back four would see Cesar Azpilicueta switch to his natural position of right-back, in a move that numerous club’s supporters have recently demanded.
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“It’s a bit risky, because if you mistime it the ball will pass you, but these are the kind of situations where, with experience, you learn when you can choose to step out and make an interception and when you cannot do it. It’s as simple as that”.
“At the same time, every team except Maccabi Tel Aviv is a team of giants”. If you don’t have a minimum of five tall players good in the air, you are dead in set-pieces. This will see £21million summer signing Baba Rahman given his first chance to establish himself at left-back.
Rahman has had extra time to try to prove he is capable of facing Villa after a mix-up over his visa meant the 21-year-old could not travel with Ghana to face Canada in Washington and, instead, remained at Cobham this week to train with his Chelsea team-mates.
Another option would be France youngster Kurt Zouma playing at right-back. His physical presence may be attractive to Mourinho for the Villa game, with Rudy Gestede posing the greatest threat for Tim Sherwood’s team in the air.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek, the England Under-21 worldwide midfielder, will start against Villa as Mourinho seeks to freshen up his side after seeing them lose half of their eight Premier League fixtures, awful form which prompted a public vote of confidence in his management from Roman Abramovich and his board.
Zouma, who has played in central defence this season and featured in midfield last term, can operate at full-back and may now deputise, with Gary Cahill – rested for England’s trip to Lithuania given recent back problems – and John Terry retained in the centre.
Who will Jose Mourinho turn to if Ivanovic is out?
Ivanovic’s form has been heavily criticised this season after he was given a torrid time on the day of the season by Swansea winger Jefferson Montero.
If Schlupp isn’t an opponent intimidating enough (probably because he is versatile enough to take up a few advanced role), Baah – who transfermarkt.com indicates can play only as adeptly at center-back, a position in which Ghana now has one candidate too many – comes in really strong.
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The fact the Portuguese appeared to attempt to disguise his appearance by wearing a hood has also resulted in speculation that he was watching transfer targets ahead of the January window.
