Chelsea vs Southampton team news, Saints get double boost

Southampton head to Chelsea on Saturday in the hope of pulling off a surprise result to kick start their own season.

Things had been looking okay for Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side after some solid performances at the beginning of the season but last weekend’s 1-0 loss to Wolves proved that not everything is clicking right now.

Perhaps a trip to an impressive looking Chelsea could have come at a better time, but Hasenhuttl and his players will be hoping to channel some inner fight and show their fans what sort of team they really are.

Ahead of Saturday’s game, there has been some notable team news from both camps.

Southampton receive double boost after Chelsea’s double blow

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Ralph Hasenhuttl confirmed that he had a full squad of available players besides Jack Stephens.

Whilst Stephens is expected to be out until late December time, Theo Walcott and Stuart Armstrong will both come back into contention for this weekend and help to give extra options in Hasenhuttl’s attack.

Armstrong in particular seems to have been a real miss in the opening stages of this campaign. His creativity and ability to chip in with crucial goals will certainly add something significant back into the starting line-up once he is back to full speed again.

Chelsea loanee Armando Broja will be ineligible to face his parent club as he is spending a season-long loan with Saints.

Chelsea will be without Reece James, N’Golo Kante and Christian Pulisic as they prepare to host Saints. James has a minor injury that will require one more week on the sidelines, whilst Kante tested positive for Covid-19 in midweek.

Pulisic is expected to come back into contention after the upcoming international break, but Mason Mount could come back into Thomas Tuchel’s team after a late assessment.