Reece James will return, while N’Golo Kante will be in contention to feature for Chelsea against Everton at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea will look to continue the recent winning run when they welcome Everton to Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon. And Graham Potter has greeted some positive updates on the team news front ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Reece James should be available after recovering from an illness. Meanwhile, N’Golo Kante will be in contention to feature amid his continuous rehabilitation after overcoming a long-term hamstring issue. But Raheem Sterling and Mason Mount remain on the sidelines and will not take on Everton.
In addition, Thiago Silva (knee), Cesar Azpilicueta (head), Edouard Mendy (finger), and Armando Broja (knee) remain unavailable. And during his pre-match press conference, Potter spoke about Kante, Sterling, and Mount.
He said, “There is a chance for him to be in the squad. It would be the first time [since Potter took charge] so it’s fantastic. Managers before me have spoken very highly of N’Golo because he’s a top, top player. It’s great for us he’s back.”
Chelsea vs Everton Preview: Probable Lineups, Prediction, Tactics, Team News & Key Stats
“We need to be mindful of the fact he’s had a long injury. We need to be mindful of the fact he’s had a long injury and we need to take the next steps to get him up to speed in the Premier League, which is what we’ll do.”
“Raheem has a problem with his hamstring. It’s not too serious but he’ll miss the game at the weekend and he’ll miss the international break. It’s the same as Mason. Mason has been struggling a little bit with his pubic bone. He wasn’t 100 per cent the last game and is still not quite there, so he will miss the England camp as well.”
With Sterling still unavailable, Mykhailo Mudryk will likely start again on Saturday. The Ukrainian international will join Kai Havertz and Joao Felix in the final third. So Christian Pulisic, Hakim Ziyech, Noni Madueke, and David Datro Fofana will be among the backup options on the bench.
As for the midfield unit, there is no looking past Mateo Kovacic and Enzo Fernandez in the central midfield slot. The two players have forged a solid partnership in the middle of the park, and Potter has no reason to tinker with a winning combination.
Meanwhile, James should reclaim his spot as the right wing-back, with Ben Chilwell continuing on the left flank. As for the central defensive unit, Wesley Fofana, Benoit Badiashile, and Marc Cucurella should continue in the back three. So Benoit Badiashile misses out again. Finally, Kepa Arrizabalaga picks himself between the sticks.
Predicted Chelsea XI: Kepa; Fofana, Koulibaly, Cucurella; James, Kovacic, Fernandez, Chilwell; Felix, Havertz, Mudryk
