Benoit Badiashile and Denis Zakaria will return, but Reece James might be unavailable for the game between Chelsea and Leeds United on Saturday.
Chelsea will be desperate to return to winning ways when they welcome Leeds United to Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon. And Graham Potter has several new injury concerns hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Thiago Silva is the latest player on the sidelines after sustaining a knee injury against Tottenham Hotspur. The Brazilian international has joined Edouard Mendy (finger), Cesar Azpilicueta (head), N’Golo Kante (hamstring), Christian Pulisic (knee), and Armando Broja (knee) on the sidelines.
Meanwhile, Potter is sweating over the fitness of Reece James (hamstring) and Mason Mount (abdomen). The two players are struggling with minor issues and might not be fit to take on Leeds. And during his pre-match press conference, Potter spoke about all the players struggling with fitness issues.
The Chelsea boss said, “Thiago will be around that time, I’m not sure when it will be exactly. Mendy’s making progress but he’s not yet joined full training with the group. N’Golo had his first full training session today but obviously still needs time. Azpi’s made progress, but he’s still not through the protocols we have to do after a head injury like that.”
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“Reece has got a tightness in his hamstring, we’re just assessing him, so he’s doubtful for tomorrow as well. Mason’s had a problem with his lower abdomen area, the bone, so he’ll miss the game tomorrow. We hope it won’t be too long but tomorrow will be too soon.”
With James doubtful to feature and Azpilicueta unavailable, Potter might change the formation. Chelsea will thus line up in a 3-4-2-1 formation against Leeds, with Ruben Loftus-Cheek starting as a right wing-back. But Ben Chilwell should continue on the left flank.
The change to a back three might help Chelsea add some much-needed defensive solidity. And the central defensive unit of Wesley Fofana, Benoit Badiashile, and Kalidou Koulibaly picks itself. The trio will protect Kepa Arrizabalaga, who will be an automatic selection between the sticks.
Loftus-Cheek will vacate a central midfield berth, which Denis Zakaria should occupy. The Swiss international will start alongside Enzo Fernandez in the middle of the park. So Mateo Kovacic and Conor Gallagher will be backup midfield options on the bench.
As for the offensive unit, Kai Havertz should be the central striker again. But David Datro Fofana is an alternative if Potter wants to overlook the German international. Joao Felix and Raheem Sterling should play behind Havertz. So Mykhaylo Mudryk and Noni Madueke will again be backup attacking options.
Predicted Chelsea XI: Kepa; Fofana, Koulibaly, Badiashile; Loftus-Cheek, Zakaria, Enzo Fernandez, Chilwell; Felix, Sterling; Havertz
