Mykhailo Mudryk will return, while N’Golo Kante and Mason Mount will be in contention to feature when Chelsea and Aston Villa clash on Saturday.
Chelsea will be eager to get back to winning ways when they welcome Aston Villa to Stamford Bridge on Saturday evening. And Graham Potter has a near-full-strength squad at his disposal ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Thiago Silva and Armando Broja remain on the sidelines due to their respective knee injuries. In addition, Wesley Fofana and Cesar Azpilicueta are not fit enough to feature this weekend. But several others have resumed training and will be in contention on Saturday.
These include Edouard Mendy, Reece James, Mason Mount, and Kai Havertz. In addition, N’Golo Kante might also make his first appearance since recovering from a hamstring injury. And during his pre-match press conference, Potter addressed questions surrounding several players.
“Kai was a fever, but he’s recovered now, so he’s trained the last couple of days. Reece as well. Reece has had the last two training sessions with us, so providing there’s no reaction he should be available for tomorrow as well. Thiago and Azpi are still away. Raheem’s coming back, he will miss the game but I think he’s got more of a chance for Tuesday. He’s close.”
Chelsea vs Aston Villa Preview: Prediction, Probable Lineups, Tactics, Team News & Key Stats
“Wesley is going to miss the game because his hamstring is still a little bit tight. I think there’s a chance for Tuesday with him. Christian Pulisic is the only one we’re not sure about really, he’s had a heavy cold returning from international duty. So he’s the one we’ve just got to check on. Mason has trained and he’s available. Probably not from the start but in the squad.”
With Havertz recovering, the German international should spearhead the attack against Aston Villa. And Mykhailo Mudryk should return to the starting lineup to accompany Havertz and Joao Felix in the final third. The Ukrainian international will replace Christian Pulisic.
As for the midfield unit, Potter has no reason to look past Enzo Fernandez and Mateo Kovacic. So Kante and Mount will find themselves on the bench on Saturday. In addition, Reece James and Ben Chilwell pick themselves as the two wing-backs.
Meanwhile, Fofana’s absence means Marc Cucurella should return to the starting lineup. The Spanish defender will join Benoit Badiashile and Kalidou Koulibaly in the central defensive unit. Finally, Kepa Arrizabalaga picks himself between the sticks.
Predicted Chelsea XI: Kepa; Badiashile, Koulibaly, Cucurella; James, Enzo Fernandez, Kovacic, Chilwell; Felix, Havertz, Mudryk
