Chelsea Starting XI Prediction, Team News vs Brighton: Rudiger, Emerson

Chelsea FC rocked Grimsby Town 7-1 in midweek League Cup action, and now it’s time to turn attention back to the Premier League. The Blues welcome Brighton & Hove Albion to the bridge tomorrow. The £54 million American, Christian Pulisic didn’t score in the rout of Grimsby, but he did chip in three assists.

It was also the first action he saw after a streak of three straight games in which he was an unused sub. Why is the Hershey, Pennsylvania native falling down the pecking order? Well, he appears to be having some trouble adjusting to life in a new country and playing in a more physical league.

“Pulisic we forget is 21, because of the price tag,” said Chelsea manager Frank Lampard, who was not in charge when the $72 million acquisition deal was done in January.

“It is normal to have an adaptation period. He has shown some good moments this season and in preseason, but he must do it daily.”

“He needs time to adapt, but we support him on that. His time will come. A huge part of any manager’s job is to sit and work with the players — younger or older, but with younger players you want to pass on more knowledge and help them.”

“Sometimes it is being tough. I try to do that as much as possible.”

Pulisic has featured six times for the Blues but has still yet to score.

In turning towards the team news for this one, Antonio Rudiger will miss this fixture due to a groin issue. Meanwhile Emerson Palmieri has a hamstring injury that will keep him out until after the October international break.

Additionally, Ruben Loftus-Cheek remains out indefinitely.

“We can’t give a date,” Lampard said, “but he’s outside jogging slowly.

“That’s a positive move for this week. It’s good to see him outside. We will see how that goes over the next weeks.”