Sheffield United predicted XI v Chelsea with key man suspended and Chris Wilder dilemmas

This Sunday, when Sheffield United travels to Chelsea, Chris Wilder will have some welcome selection headaches. Jack Robinson is suspended, so he will be without him, but important players like Oli McBurnie and Ollie Norwood are back in the lineup after serving their respective bans.

After missing two games due to hamstring and groin injuries, respectively, George Baldock and Ben Osborn are also anticipated to rejoin the team. Wilder will have to consider whether to stick with young players Andre Brooks and Will Osula after their displays against Brentford and Liverpool.

Keeping those conundrums in mind, we put our guy in charge of taking over for Wilder and choosing the team he would lead against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

1. Wes Foderingham

Had a comfortable afternoon against Brentford last time out and may well be busier this time around

2. Jayden Bogle

Has the competition of George Baldock again after his return from a hamstring issue but deserves to keep his place after two good performances in Wilder’s two games so far

3. Anel Ahmedhodzic

I toyed with a change of shape to a back three but United’s lack of specialist centre-half options makes it difficult, so Ahmedhodzic retains his place on the right of a two-man partnership

4. Auston Trusty

Impressive at left back under Wilder so far but with Jack Robinson suspended, needs must for him to return to the middle

5. Max Lowe

An area of the pitch where United are not short of options, with Luke Thomas and Yasser Larouci – plus the returning Ben Osborn. But Lowe’s introduction off the bench late on against Brentford suggests he’s the next cab off the rank at left-back

6. Vini Souza

Assuming he’s fit and okay after the shocker of a tackle he suffered last weekend, Souza deserves to keep his place after two good displays under Wilder’s tutelage so far

7. Gus Hamer/Ollie Norwood

Hamer has played in a more natural position under Wilder and has been more involved as a result. It’s a toss up for me between him and Norwood, who is back available after suspension could give United a bit more defensive solidarity in midfield – against such a dangerous side on a tough afternoon. He also has the passing range to get United up the pitch

8. Andre Brooks

After two superb performances following his unexpected chance, how can the Blades youngster not play? It will be a real test against Chelsea’s expensive stars but he has earned the right to take them on and won’t show any fear in doing so.

9. James McAtee

Showed against Brentford once again that he has that moment of magic in his locker, with United may need again to get a result in the capital

10. Cameron Archer

A player who has shown his best form in a United shirt in the last two games, the Blades are now playing to Archer’s strengths rather than banging the ball to him in the air and expecting him to battle with big centre-halves

11. Oli McBurnie

Back available after suspension and still very important to United, both in defence and as a focal point in attack. Harsh on Will Osula perhaps but I’d let McBurnie battle Chelsea’s defenders for 60/70 minutes before unleashing Osula from the bench after his big physical exertions against Liverpool and Brentford