Chelsea provided a boost against Southampton as three key players were suspended in the Premier League

On By Littum

Chelsea have been given a boost ahead of their clash with Southampton in the Premier League on Wednesday night.

The Blues have been in fine form this season and are joint second in the league with London rivals Arsenal.

Southampton, on the other hand, have lost 10 of their 13 games in the competition and are bottom of the Premier League ahead of Chelsea’s visit, which Enzo Maresca has labeled as the toughest of the season.

Russell Martin is under increasing pressure on the south coast and has been criticized for continuing with a possession-focused style of play despite their results.

A heavy defeat to Maresca’s Chelsea could see the end of his time at the helm at St Mary’s and things do not look good for Saints ahead of the clash.

Three of their key players will be unavailable for Wednesday’s game after picking up yellow cards when they played against Brighton at the weekend.

Saints will also be without Chelsea loanee Lesley Ugochukwu.

Saints will also be without Chelsea loanee Lesley Ugochukwu. / IMAGO / PA images

Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Flynn Downes and Tyler Dibling will all miss the game through suspension after picking up five yellow cards this season.

Dibling was previously on the books for Chelsea for a short spell before returning to Southampton, with reports suggesting he was homesick after the move.

There is even more bad news for Martin as Downes’ most likely replacement is also unavailable – Lesley Ugochukwu.

The midfielder is on loan from Chelsea and, despite not starting many games this season, would have provided some extra physicality in midfield in the absence of Downes.

With games coming thick and fast over the festive period, Ugochukwu and Chelsea will be keen to see his playing time increase and Maresca asked if he could remember

“I have no idea at the moment,” he began. “I have no idea about the loans, about the transfer window. Before January I think we have seven Premier League games. It’s too many games to think about.”

A win for Chelsea will see them extend their lead in the top four as Maresca sets his sights on the Champions League while playing down the Blues’ chances of challenging for the title alongside Liverpool and Arsenal this season.