How Chelsea might set up against Aston Villa as Graham Potter deals with the blow of three injuries
Due to Chelsea's ongoing injury issues, Graham Potter may have to manage without three crucial players against Aston Villa.
Graham Potter, the head coach of Chelsea, may be missing three important players when the team travels to Villa Park on Sunday to take on a struggling Aston Villa. The Blues manager will be forced to make changes to his winning side after his squad was rocked by injuries to key players just as the new manager was starting to gain confidence following four straight victories.
After showing signs of development under Potter, moving up into the top four with their previous victory, and winning their Champions League group, the Blues will be bursting with confidence.
But it might be a difficult test since Reece James, who injured his knee in their 2-0 victory over AC Milan, might be sidelined for longer than first thought. The right-back might need surgery, which would keep him from playing for several months, keep him from competing in the World Cup next month, and for sure keep him from participating in this game.
N'Golo Kante, who had a setback in training due to a hamstring issue, is with him in the physio room. Potter revealed that the 31-year-old, who has played in just two games this season, suffered a new injury upon returning to training. He is anticipated to be sidelined until the New Year.
Graham Potter: The Chelsea head coach must deal with a few injuries.
Additionally, Mason Mount's fitness is under question following an evaluation for a thigh issue. To make the squad for the game on Sunday, the midfielder, who has assisted three goals in his last two outings, must move quickly.
Potter will therefore have the option to provide playing time to bench players who have only sometimes appeared throughout his brief stay. If Mount does not recover in time to be chosen in the starting XI after scoring against Wolves last time out, Christian Pulisic and Kai Havertz will be vying for a start.
Thiago Silva would be flanked by Trevoh Chalobah and Kalidou Koulibaly in Potter's three-man backline, which helped his team defeat AC Milan 5-0 in both of their Champions League group stage games.
Chelsea's star player Reece James has been ruled out .
The most likely replacement for the injured James will be captain Cesar Azpilicueta in a wing-back position, while Marc Cucurella might replace Ben Chilwell in the starting lineup on the other flank.
After some recent strong performances, Ruben Loftus-Cheek is vying for a starting spot in midfield alongside Jorginho.
When it comes to attacking options, Potter is spoiled for choice. In-form striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is expected to lead the line in a central position, and he can choose from Pulisic,
Hakim Ziyech, Havertz, and Raheem Sterling will compete for the final two wide attacking positions.
Arrizabalaga; Chalobah; Silva; Koulibaly; Azpilicueta; Loftus-Cheek; Jorginho; Cucurella; Havertz; Aubameyang; Sterling; might be Chelsea's starting lineup against Aston Villa (3-4-3)
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