Chelsea’s latest woes away from dwelling continued into 2023 as they have been lucky to flee the Metropolis Floor with some extent on New Yr’s Day.
Graham Potter’s facet took an early lead by Raheem Sterling, however they have been pegged again amid a woeful second half show by an acrobatic Serge Aurier effort. Reece James’ damage upon his return to motion appears to have taken some life out of the Blues as soon as extra, however they need to choose themselves up rapidly as they play host to the champions on Thursday night time.
Potter has struggled to settle upon a favoured system and beginning XI since arriving at Stamford Bridge, so predicting his groups is all the time difficult.
Nonetheless, this is what the Chelsea boss may go for as Man Metropolis come to city in midweek.
GK: Kepa Arrizabalaga – Kepa’s resurgence has been one of many few vibrant spots for Chelsea this season. His kind has seen Edouard Mendy thrust to the backbenches and the Spaniard ought to proceed between the sticks on Thursday.
RB: Cesar Azpilicueta – The Chelsea skipper is now not the reliable determine he as soon as was, however Potter has little alternative however to utilise the Spaniard at right-back in Reece James’ absence. Maybe Trevoh Chalobah is an choice?
CB: Thiago Silva – The Brazilian is acting at an extremely excessive stage and there isn’t any doubt that he’ll relish the upcoming battle with Erling Haaland, who scored his twenty first Premier League objective on the weekend. It is a mammoth duel.
CB: Kalidou Koulibaly – The previous Napoli defender hasn’t fairly settled in west London, however Wesley Fofana’s absence means he’ll associate Silva on Thursday by default.
LB: Marc Cucurella – Potter has a few thrilling youth choices that he may deploy at left-back, nevertheless it’d be a shock to see Cucurella dropped for Thursday’s sport. Whereas he hasn’t precisely gained over supporters since he joined for large cash in the summertime, he is actually the supervisor’s best choice.
CM: Jorginho – Potter’s midfield choices are restricted, however Jorginho has been virtually ubiquitous on the base of the midfield because the Englishman succeeded Thomas Tuchel.
CM: Mateo Kovacic – Kovacic was glorious on the World Cup and he returned to home motion off the bench final outing. Potter must get the easiest out of the Croatian in the course of the second half of the season, and he’ll play a key position in breaking Metropolis’s press on Thursday.
CM: Mason Mount – The England worldwide was very good within the victory over Bournemouth simply after Christmas and Potter wants such influential showings from Mount to grow to be frequent if Chelsea are to enhance. Solely Thiago Silva has performed extra Premier League minutes for the Blues than the dynamic midfielder this season.
RW: Hakim Ziyech – The World Cup star appeared destined to depart Chelsea in 2023, however maybe his marketing campaign in Qatar will ignite his profession in west London. With Christian Pulisic struggling to impress after Christmas, Potter may hand Ziyech a uncommon begin.
ST: Kai Havertz – What’s a Kai Havertz? The German is being compelled to steer Chelsea’s line however you may’t assist however suppose he is being horribly misused. Nonetheless, Havertz is the Blues’ joint-leading scorer within the Premier League this season with 4 targets.
LW: Raheem Sterling – Sterling has primarily functioned off the proper since becoming a member of Chelsea, however he was used down the alternative flank to nice impact by Pep Guardiola and Potter may swap issues up on Thursday. The England worldwide grabbed his fourth league objective of the season on the Metropolis Floor.
