Chelsea team news: Expected 4-3-3 line-up against Eintracht Frankfurt

Chelsea have a defensive injury crisis to contend with ahead of their Europa League semi-final against Eintracht Frankfurt.

Maurizio Sarri has admitted Chelsea are “in trouble” after Gary Cahill sustained an Achilles injury, leaving Chelsea with just two fit centre-backs in Germany.

Here’s how they could line-up:

Defence

Cesar Azpilicueta is expected to start at right-back but will have to cover David Luiz or Andreas Christensen at centre-back should either man pick up a knock during the game.

Cahill joins Antonio Rudiger on the injury list, with the German centre-back sidelined for three months with knee surgery.

First-team regular Marcos Alonso could start at left-back despite Emerson playing the full 90 minutes in the second leg against Slavia Prague, with Kepa Arrizabalaga expected to play in goal.

Starters: Arrizabalaga; Azpilicueta, Alonso, Luiz, Christensen

Midfield

Sarri is expected to select his strongest possible midfield, which throughout the season has consisted primarily of Jorginho in the middle and N’Golo Kante on the right with one other on the left.

That leaves Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Mateo Kovacic and Ross Barkley fighting over the remaining spot.

Loftus-Cheek has been used regularly in the competition this year, scoring three goals in nine appearances and could get the nod again here despite being rested against Slavia.

Starters: Kante, Jorginho, Loftus-Cheek

Attack

While Sarri has used the Europa League to rest star man Eden Hazard at times this season, he is fully expected to start at the semi-final stage.

Injury to Callum Hudson-Odoi leaves Pedro and Willian fighting over the other wing, with the Spaniard expected to continue after starting in both quarter-finals.

While Gonzalo Higuain has shown flashes of form in recent weeks, Olivier Giroud is the striker of choice in the Europa League.

The Frenchman will be looking to add to his tally of 10 goals in this season’s competition.

Starters: Hazard, Pedro, Giroud