Stoke with juniors against Chelsea

Mark Hughes faces a new crisis in Stoke City’s team after being left without almost all of his defense and forced to use teenagers against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Captain Ryan Shawkross has a calf injury in the match against Huddersfield, Bruno Martins Indian has a sore throat and will not play for a few weeks, and Kurt Zuma is not allowed even a minute against the squad who passed it to Stoke.

“This is a serious crisis, we are in a very delicate situation and we may be forced to bet on a couple of adolescents who have to do this for us, it will not be easy because even with our top 11 players this “It’s going to be a very difficult game, leaving us on the pitch, thinking positively and doing what we can,” said Stoke manager before the Championship match. Leftback Eric Peters, who was injured against West Ham earlier this month, has little chance to play, but Hughes is optimistic: “Maybe he’ll be on his way back.”