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Chelsea's troubles deepened during the international break as Enzo Fernández cast serious doubt over his future at the club.
As if four consecutive defeats before the international hiatus weren't bad enough for the Blues, Fernández's public flirtation with Real Madrid while on duty with Argentina has only added to the gloom already hanging over Stamford Bridge.
Refusing to let one of their key assets undermine the club, Chelsea have opted to suspend Fernández for their next two fixtures—the FA Cup quarterfinal against Port Vale this Saturday and the following week's Premier League encounter with Manchester City.
As Liam Rosenior looks to reverse Chelsea's slide, he now faces yet another selection dilemma. Here's how the Blues manager can navigate the next two games without Fernández.
Fernández Absence Frees Up Cole Palmer
Significant squad rotation is anticipated against Port Vale on Saturday, with the third-tier side struggling at the bottom of League One and unlikely to present a serious challenge to Chelsea's hopes of reaching the FA Cup semifinals. Fernández was always going to be rested for the Stamford Bridge tie, with the City showdown firmly in mind.
The Argentine, who netted the equalizer in January's draw with City, will certainly be missed, but his suspension could give Cole Palmer the chance to shine. In recent weeks, the two midfielders have been competing for the same No.10 berth, often leaving Palmer pushed out to the right flank.
The England international is a genuine danger wherever he plays across the attacking line, but it is in the No.10 role where Palmer truly thrives. Rosenior will almost certainly slot the former City man into that position against his old club, where his creativity and movement could trouble Rodri and the rest of the City midfield.
João Pedro Drops Deeper
Another option to fill the void left by Fernández is the Argentine's international counterpart João Pedro. Like Palmer, the Brazilian is not expected to be involved against Port Vale in the cup, but will be pivotal in the upcoming Premier League clash with City at Stamford Bridge.
Pedro has been in inspired form since Rosenior took charge, netting 11 goals during the manager's tenure. He has made the center forward role his own, with consistent contributions leaving fellow striker Liam Delap with very little opportunity to impress.
That said, Pedro is equally comfortable operating as a No.10—with some arguing it is actually his strongest position—and could drop into a deeper role for the City match to allow Delap a place in the starting eleven. The former City forward has struggled to make an impact since his move to west London, but his pace and physicality could be an asset against Pep Guardiola's high defensive line.
Estêvão Handed Opportunity
For the Port Vale fixture, Rosenior may look to Estêvão to fill the No.10 role. Although the Brazilian has predominantly been used on the right wing, he has long been considered a natural fit for attacking midfield. Saturday's match presents the youngster with a valuable chance to develop in that position against lower-level opposition.
According to Transfermarkt, Estêvão has previously featured in 12 games as an attacking midfielder, registering four goal contributions in total—all of which came during his time at Palmeiras. The Port Vale fixture would give him the chance to build on that record while wearing a Chelsea shirt.