Chelsea 'may not have the possibility to rotate', says Thibaut Courtois as Antonio Conte primes his injury-hit side for Everton Carabao Cup clash

  • Chelsea are preparing to face Everton in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night
  • Charly Musonda is set to start with other youngsters in Antonio Conte's squad
  • Conte has limited options due to the injuries hitting his team in recent weeks
  • Thibaut Courtois says it is not 'a moment to relax' with rotation chances limited

Thibaut Courtois believes Chelsea could end up fielding a stronger side than planned against Everton in the Carabao Cup – because Antonio Conte is running out of rotation options.

The Premier League champions have been crippled by an injury crisis in recent weeks and have only 13 fully-fit senior outfielders available.

Victor Moses and N'Golo Kante are long-term absentees and although David Luiz and Tiemoue Bakayoko are back training and playing they continue to carry knocks while Danny Drinkwater is still working his way back from injury.

Cesc Fabregas, Pedro, Alvaro Morata and Ethan Ampadu train with Chelsea on Tuesday

Cesc Fabregas, Pedro, Alvaro Morata and Ethan Ampadu train with Chelsea on Tuesday

Charly Musonda is expected to start against Everton in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night

Charly Musonda is expected to start against Everton in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night

Gary Cahill leads the players through a session at their Cobham training base on Tuesday

Gary Cahill leads the players through a session at their Cobham training base on Tuesday

Danny Drinkwater is nearing fitness for his long-await Chelsea debut after his summer move

Danny Drinkwater is nearing fitness for his long-await Chelsea debut after his summer move

Conte would like to make significant changes against the Toffees, and he is set to offer rising star Charly Musonda a rare opportunity to start, but his choices are somewhat restricted.


Ethan Ampadu, a 17-year-old who debuted against Nottingham Forest in the last round, has been training with the Chelsea first team this week, as have Kyle Scott and Dujon Sterling, 19 and 18 respectively.

'With injuries, maybe we don't have the possibility to rotate a lot so we will have to see what team the manager puts out, but I don't think it's a moment to relax,' goalkeeper Courtois said.

'It's a different kind of pressure than the Champions League, where we are doing well and we want to stay top of the group. In the Premier League we have to fight to keep on winning games and the Carabao Cup is something else, so we must try to do our best and go far.

'Everton have been struggling at the moment. I don't think they are playing badly but they have conceded some sloppy goals, and other teams have had more luck, but the Premier League is hard.

'This is another competition, though, and they will be ready to win it.'

David Luiz and Willian pose for the cameras as they head out for Tuesday's training session

David Luiz and Willian pose for the cameras as they head out for Tuesday's training session

Antonio Conte will hope Saturday's win over Watford can inspire some form from his players

Antonio Conte will hope Saturday's win over Watford can inspire some form from his players

Meanwhile, Courtois says Chelsea's squad are behind Conte despite murmurs last week ahead of the 4-2 win over Watford that there was unhappiness among the team with the Italian's training methods.

'When a top team has a few bad results the first thing people try to say is that the players are not happy and we're not behind the coach,' Courtois said.

'Against Watford you saw we fought for every moment and we fought when we were down, so everybody can see we're behind the coach 

Michy Batshuayi is all smiles after his matchwinning substitute appearance against Watford

Michy Batshuayi is all smiles after his matchwinning substitute appearance against Watford

Ampadu could be in line for his second Chelsea appearance in the Carabao Cup this season

Ampadu could be in line for his second Chelsea appearance in the Carabao Cup this season

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