Tonight, Chelsea take on bottom of the group Dinamo Zagreb in the last game of the group stages in the Champions League.
Having already topped the group and qualified for the knockout stages, this is a nothing game on the face of things for the SW6 side and they can afford to rotate the squad.
Though, after suffering defeat to successor Roberto De Zerbi’s Brighton side at the weekend, the boss may want to use this game as a confidence booster, and as a method to gain momentum.
Injury News
In wake of Graham Potter’s pre-match press conference, the likes of Mateo Kovacic and Kalidou Koulibaly are members who are touch-and-go.
Kovacic, Chelsea’s most recent Champions League scorer, has been struggling with a calf injury in recent games and did not train at Cobham yesterday.
On the injury status of the midfielder, Potter said: “Kovacic was just precautionary with his calf.
“He’s got a chance for the game tomorrow, we will make a decision later on.”
On Koulibaly, who has been absent since the draw at Brentford a fortnight ago, the Chelsea boss said: “He trained today and was fine.
“Providing there’s no reaction he’s available and will be in the squad tomorrow.”
In Kepa Arrizabalaga’s case, he “won’t be available for the game” according to the boss, who then went on to say: “He has a slight issue with his plantar fascia.”
There is hope that he will regain fitness in time for the next game or so though, with Potter saying: “We’re looking at days, but certainly not for the game tomorrow.”
Injury list
Reece James, Wesley Fofana and N’Golo Kante all remain out with long-term setbacks.
Though, the former two will continue their rehabilitation programme in Dubai this week, as per Chelsea’s official website.
Predicted Chelsea XI
With the latest injury news covered, here is out anticipated predicted line-up to face Zagreb.
3-4-2-1
Mendy;
Azpilicueta, Chalobah, Cucurella;
Loftus-Cheek, Jorginho, Chukwuemeka, Chilwell;
Ziyech, Pulisic;
Broja
Our predicted line-up sees Potter make seven changes, in an overhaul to the line-up.
Injured Kepa makes way for Edouard Mendy, who finally has his chance to stake his claim under the new boss.
Thiago Silva makes way for Cesar Azpilicueta who sat out the last game against Brighton.
Jorginho enters the fray in place of Kovacic, who is touch-and-go for this game.
Raheem Sterling will sit this one out, with Ben Chilwell set to have a run out after playing just 26 minutes across the last two games.
In attack, Conor Gallagher is set to lose his place to Hakim Ziyech, who has massively struggled for minutes this season.
Mason Mount will sit this one out too, with Carney Chukwuemeka expected to start in a central midfield partnership with Jorginho – meaning that Pulisic will push up to left-wing.
And finally, Armando Broja will be handed a rare start ahead of Kai Havertz, with the 21-year-old surely keen to impress the boss for what is a big opportunity.
