Sam Allardyce has welcomed the “nice headache” of having centre-back competition in his squad as Eliaquim Mangala bids to make his home debut against Crystal Palace on Saturday.
The busy run of fixtures during the Christmas and new year period, combined with injuries to the likes of Phil Jagielka and Michael Keane, has seen Allardyce mix up his pairings in central defence in his search for clean sheets, with Ashley Williams and Mason Holgate also used.
Mangala has now been added to that pool of talent after joining the Blues on loan for the rest of the season from Manchester City.