Sunderland players in the image accompanying Chelsea’s opposition scout. Image: Getty Images, via Chelsea FC. Landscape crop and corner branding added.
Chelsea face a Sunderland side forced to change its central defence, with Omar Alderete suspended for Sunday’s Premier League meeting at the Stadium of Light.
The defender received a second yellow card late in Sunderland’s 3-0 defeat at Coventry. His absence breaks up the partnership with Luke O’Nien as Regis Le Bris prepares to host Chelsea.
Sunderland lose Alderete for Chelsea visit
Chelsea’s official opposition scout identifies the suspension as a change Le Bris must make. It also lists centre-back Dan Ballard among the injured players, alongside Habib Diarra and Romaine Mundle.
Nordi Mukiele and Juan Riquelme Angulo could be available again, according to the same update. That is a possibility rather than confirmation of either player’s place in the squad.
Sunderland have otherwise kept much of their established line-up. Nine starters from the Coventry defeat also began May’s meeting at Stamford Bridge.
Sunderland’s midfield and Brobbey threat
Le Bris has continued with Granit Xhaka and Noah Sadiki together in midfield. Chelsea’s scout notes his use of players such as Trai Hume and Thomas Meunier in wide roles, rather than always choosing the summer attacking recruits.
Brian Brobbey remains the leading scorer. He has three of Sunderland’s seven league goals, with Enzo Le Fee on two.
The scout also points to individual errors and a more measured high press. Sunderland have not scored from a high turnover this league season. That does not mean Chelsea can expect an easy afternoon: it describes how the hosts have played, not how Sunday’s match will unfold.
When do Sunderland play Chelsea?
Kick-off is at 14:00 GMT on Sunday, 8 November, at the Stadium of Light, as confirmed in Chelsea’s ticket information.
For the visitors’ own selection issues, read our separate Chelsea team-news update on Martinez and Caicedo.
