There is no time for Graham Potter to analyse what went wrong against Fulham. Chelsea's schedule simply doesn't allow for such contemplation. The focus is straight on to Sunday's game at Stamford Bridge against Crystal Palace. It is one the Blues can't afford to lose.
Chelsea have taken just six points from their last nine top-flight games and sit tenth in the table. It is not good enough and Potter has come under inevitable pressure. “We have to recover. We have to recover from the disappointment of the game [against Fulham]," explained the 47-year-old.
"We have to assess all the players in terms of recovery and injury, whatever we have. Then we have to be positive, move forward and take a home game on. It’s another London derby against a team with dangerous players. So we have to be good and prepare the team.
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“Patrick [Vieira] has done a fantastic job since he has been there. They’ve always got dangerous players, young players, so they are maybe not as consistent as they would like, but the quality they have – [Eberechi] Eze, [Michael] Olise, [Wilfried] Zaha obviously – these are players who can travel with the ball well, can attack, can eliminate you in one-vs-one situations."
Chelsea will not be at full strength as injuries continue to ravage Potter's squad. Ten players are expected to be absent due to fitness concerns while new signing Joao Felix will miss the game due to suspension. Yet there are options for the Blues head coach to turn to in an effort to halt the dismal form.
Badiashile for Koulibaly
It was on January 5 that Benoit Badiashile's switch from Monaco was confirmed. The defender has since watched on from the substitutes' bench as Chelsea were beaten comfortably by Manchester City in the FA Cup and suffered a defeat to Fulham in the Premier League.
For that latter fixture, Potter switched to a back three system and opted to utilise Kalidou Koulibaly as the left centre-back. And while the Senegal international scored in the 2-1 defeat at Craven Cottage, he was defensively shaky throughout and poor with his distribution.
Koulibaly has struggled since his summer move from Napoli – and particularly after the World Cup break. Badiashile may be inexperienced at 21 years old, but Potter needs to try something different to shake Chelsea out of their slump. Handing the France international his debut is a logical move.
Chukwuemeka for Zakaria
Few could have predicted prior to the World Cup break that Denis Zakaria would become a key figure in the Chelsea midfield just four games into 2023. Yet the feeling of disappointment when the Switzerland international limped off at Craven Cottage with an injury was palpable.
There is no timescale yet as to how long Zakaria will be sidelined. Yet he is almost certain to miss the game against Palace and that will require Potter to shake up his midfield. The easy option is to bring in Jorginho but the Italian, like many of his teammates, has struggled for form.
So Potter may be wise to use a wildcard: Carney Chukwuemeka. Signed from Aston Villa in the summer, the 19-year-old has appeared uninhibited by pressure when used off the bench in recent games. Very few within Potter's squad can say the same and that confidence is something Chelsea desperately need.
Ziyech for Felix
For 58 minutes against Fulham, Joao Felix showcased exactly why Chelsea signed him on loan from Atletico Madrid. There was an inventiveness with his use of the ball, a purpose to his movement, and a willingness to threaten goal from distance. And yet none of that will be seen again until February after he was sent off for a reckless challenge on Kenny Tete.
"We're disappointed because he came here to play, he came on loan to play," explained Potter at his pre-match press conference. "You saw his quality when he was on the pitch [against Fulham]. To lose him for three games is a real blow for us but there’s nothing we can do. We just have to deal with it.”
Felix's absence will hurt Chelsea, especially with Raheem Sterling, Christian Pulisic and Armando Broja ruled out. There is no obvious replacement for the Portuguese and that may see Potter shift back to an attacking trio rather than a front two. In that instance, Hakim Ziyech should return to the side and be charged with taking up the creative burden.
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