Latest Chelsea news as Mauricio Pochettino has been sent a brutal message which could influence his team selection for the Tottenham clash

Mykhailo Mudryk could make his Chelsea injury return for the Premier League clash with Tottenham next Monday

Mauricio Pochettino has been sent a Chelsea team selection hint regarding Mykhailo Mudryk ahead of the Premier League clash against Tottenham. The Argentine is set to return as manager of the Blues four years on from his departure from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with a view to ending the unbeaten start made by Ange Postecoglou.

Ahead of the game, Postecoglou was asked for his thoughts on the former Tottenham boss before facing him in the dugout next Monday. “It’s undoubted that he had an unbelievable impact on this football club,” he admitted on Thursday. “For all of us that’s our ultimate goal. He had an undeniable impact on this club. His work is unquestioned. People I speak to here who worked with him can’t speak highly enough about him.

“I can’t imagine there will be anything but respect for Mauricio from the people at this club and the fans. He’s not going to get a guard of honour or anything because we want to win the game and he won’t expect that, but there will be respect for him.”

While Spurs will be looking to keep their league loss column at zero, Chelsea had also been on an unbeaten streak of their own following wins against Brighton, Fulham and Burnley along with a 2-2 draw against Arsenal. However, that was ended by Brentford last weekend, who picked up their third consecutive league win at Stamford Bridge.

Some momentum was regained during the week as the Blues advanced to the Carabao Cup quarter-finals with a victory over Blackburn Rovers. Benoit Badiashile and Raheem Sterling were the scorers, however the latter has been criticised by former defender Frank Leboeuf for parts of his display.

“The result is good. The way that Chelsea played doesn’t allow me to say that was good…” Leboeuf told ESPN. “Even if Chelsea were better than Blackburn, there were so many mistakes. So many bad crosses from Sterling, for example.” The 28-year-old has endured a mixed spell under Pochettino with flashes of brilliance on show against West Ham, Luton and Burnley somewhat overshadowed by a plethora of lacklustre performances.

A start for Sterling against Tottenham appears likely, however Leboeuf and Chelsea fans may be hoping that Mudryk is instead given the nod. The Ukraine international has missed the last two games with a minor muscle injury after enjoying his breakout moment in a Chelsea shirt with a spectacular goal against Arsenal.

Mudryk’s pace could be a lethal weapon for Chelsea to use against Spurs and the 22-year-old has seen both of his league goals come against fellow London clubs. Deploying Sterling from the off is perhaps a safe bet for Pochettino, but starting Mudryk, if passed fit, could see him become the visitors’ wildcard and therefore have a huge impact on proceedings.