Antonio Conte promised a bit of squad rotation for Chelsea’s midweek match against Huddersfield Town in light of the squad’s hard fought victory three days prior against Liverpool. True to his word, Conte delivered by making five changes to the lineup, plus a surprise sixth in giving backup goalkeeper Wilfredo Caballero just his third Premier League start of the season.
Turns out that there is a solid reason for that unexpected change. Thibaut Courtois has picked up a back injury at some point yesterday (after the press conference, it would appear).
.@thibautcourtois is missing tonight due to picking up a back injury. #CHEHUD pic.twitter.com/FkShrKf7aa
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) May 9, 2018
There is no official word on the extent of the injury, though most early reports are calling it “minor”. Hopefully that is indeed the case for the final 10 days of the season (as well as for the World Cup, though that’s less of a concern for us). Caballero is a solid goalkeeper, there’s no doubt about that, but Courtois is first-choice for a reason.
6-changes for Chelsea. One enforced.
— Ben Dinnery (@BenDinnery) May 9, 2018
Caballero in for the Courtois who has a minor back injury.
Elsewhere, in come - Christensen, Willian, Pedro, Zappacosta and Morata.
Hazard, Moses, Cahill, Bakayoko and Giroud drop to the bench.