Chelsea will need more than just a fully-fit squad if they are to beat Real Madrid on Tuesday, let alone overcome the two-goal defecit from the first leg. Frank Lampard's men will need to score three in a game for the first time since October to beat the current European champions over two legs.
Having only scored once in the three games he has overseen as caretaker manager, it looks extremely unlikely to say the least, and that is for a club with its fair share of European comback pedigree story as underdogs. Chelsea may well have N'Golo Kante and Thiago Silva, two pillars of their 2021 winning side, back from a rest but it will take superhuman efforts to get them close to going through here.
Kante has been confirmed as being available by Lampard after he was given the weekend off in order to prepare for the task at hand at Stamford Bridge. Silva is in the same camp having been rushed back from his own injury six weeks ago. The Brazilian had been out with a knee injury but played the full game against Carlo Ancelotti's men in the first leg.
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Elsewhere Kalidou Koulibaly won't be available for the game having been ruled out with injury from the away tie. "No, he won't be available for either game," the Lampard said before Brighton.
"A hamstring injury, it will be a matter of weeks rather than days. He's a very good, very experienced player. It's a disappointment for him and for us, but opportunity and we carry on without him. Hopefully, he gets fit as quick as he can."
Kai Havertz is also set to return after missing the weekend's defeat with a knock. "Kai Has had a little issue with his knee which he felt in Madrid on Wednesday night. He should be fine for Tuesday," the Englishman said last Friday.
Raheem Sterling and Joa Felix started the first leg with the German on the bench whereas it was Sterling and Pulisic in the frontline against Brighton. Havertz, who scored the decisive goal in the last round has generally had his best performances in Europe and may be called upon from the start.
Ben Chilwell will also be unavailable having been sent off in the first leg. Armando Broja is the only long-term absence and won't play again this season.
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