Stoke City will be hoping to heap further pressure on Jose Mourinho as the Potters welcome the Blues in a League Cup tie. The defending Premier League champions have made a horrendous start to the new campaign having managed just a single victory in their last five matches in all competitions.
Their disastrous form has resulted in them dropping down to the 15th position in the league table, with Jose Mourinho's post as manager of Chelsea coming under intense scrutiny.
Stoke City boss Mark Hughes has however lent support to the Portuguese tactician saying that it would be unwise for Chelsea to sack Mourinho. Rumours have started flowing about the Chelsea hierarchy's growing impatience with the former Real Madrid manager, with reports hinting that he might be relieved of his position should the Blues suffer a defeat at the hands of Liverpool on Sunday.
Mark Hughes however has claimed that Mourinho is a top manager and that he is capable of turning the season around.
"He says it himself, he’s a top manager and he’s the best manager Chelsea have ever had so why would they change?” he told reporters.
“It’s a period he’s faced at other times in his career but one he has the knowledge and understanding of how to address that and to turn that round. I don’t think anyone thinks that he won’t.
“Jose is one of the characters of Premier League and world football. People want to hear what he says and rightly so because of the success he’s had.”
Stoke on the other hand after a disappointing start to the season have produced a string of good performances. Prior to their 2-0 defeat at the hands of Watford last time out, the Potters had recorded victories in four straight matches. Their good run has allowed them to climb up to 14th place in the league table and they will be hoping to return to winning ways on Tuesday.
Nemanja Matic will be suspended for Tuesday's match after picking a red card in the match against West Ham. The Blues are also expected to be without the likes of Loic Remy and Ivanovic. Thibaut Courtois on the other hand will continue to nurse his knee injury.
Spanish duo Bojan and Marc Muniesa are doubtful for the Capital One Cup encounter for Stoke. Skipper Ryan Shawcross has returned to training but Tuesday's match might come too soon for him. Geoff Cameron on the other hand has been ruled out of the midweek fixture due to a thigh injury but could return for the weekend clash against Newcastle.
Team sheets for Stoke City vs Chelsea
Stoke's XI: Butland, Bardsley, Shawcross, Wollscheid, Muniesa; Whelan, Adam, Arnautovic, Afellay, Diouf, Walters.
Chelsea's XI: Begovic; Zouma, Cahill, Terry , Baba; Ramires, Mikel; Willian, Oscar, Hazard; Diego Costa.
Stoke's subs: Given, Ireland, Odemwingie, Wilson, Sidwell, Shaqiri, Crouch.
Chelsea's subs: Amelia, Djilobodji, Azpilicueta, Loftus-Cheek, Traore, Kenedy, Remy.
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