Graham Potter has been handed a huge boost ahead of Chelsea's blockbuster Carabao Cup clash with Manchester City. Pep Guardiola's side are set to welcome the west Londoners to the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday November 9th, for the third round tie.
The Blues boss will be eager to get his hands on a first piece of silverware in his new role despite the tough draw. City have won the Carabao Cup four times from a possible five, with Liverpool beating Chelsea on penalties to clinch the title last season.
Potter will be hoping to avenge former head coach Thomas Tuchel's woes. And, the 47-year-old has been handed a huge boost in his efforts with Joao Cancelo now ruled out of the clash due to suspension.
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The 28-year-old defender picked up a red card in City's Premier League fixture with Fulham. The dismissal was not a result of violent misconduct so he's been handed a domestic one-game ban, meaning he'll be unavailable versus Chelsea.
Following City's 2-0 victory over Borussia Monchengladbach in February 2021, Rio Ferdinand told BT Sport how Cancelo is a game-changer and how he poses a unique threat to the opposition. The former Manchester United defender said: "We spoke about his role in this team and how important he is, and the way that he's been able to have that freedom.
"He's playing as a full-back but it's not the conventional full-back. He ends up coming into the centre of the pitch.
"His position once they get good possession is inside the pitch, almost as a pivot," Ferdinand added. "When they have the ball it's three at the back with two boys in front of them and he's one of the boys.
"He's even into the No.10 position at times and he becomes like a playmaker - it's crazy to see. And this is all obviously Pep [Guardiola] and him seeing the game a different way.
"What he's got as well is the mobility, how quick he is. He's sharp and aggressive, with and without the ball. It's a fantastic new way of seeing a full-back play."
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