Graham Potter faces some really difficult decisions regarding his Chelsea lineup for their Champions League clash with Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday night.
The Blues are looking to take a big step to booking their place in the quarter-finals of the competition with a win in the first-leg at Signal Iduna Park. With the game coming just a few days after Chelsea's 1-1 draw away at West Ham United, Potter's mind could be influenced by the players who took a big part in the match.
So, with that being said, football.london's Chelsea writers Bobby Vincent and Scott Trotter discuss what they think Potter should do below. Let us know in the comments section below if you agree with either of us...
READ MORE: Graham Potter faces two major defensive selection decisions for Chelsea vs Borussia Dortmund
Bobby Vincent
Let's start in goal, obviously. Kepa Arrizabalaga will start again for Chelsea. Edouard Mendy remains sidelined with injury and Kepa is the obvious choice to continue as the Blues' goalkeeper for this huge clash with Dortmund.
I'd continue with Reece James at right-back and probably give him a rest at the weekend against Southampton to manage his minutes. With Benoit Badiashile absent from the Champions League squad, I'd go with Kalidou Koulibaly to come back in alongside Thiago Silva. Ben Chilwell at left-back, with Marc Cucurella on the bench.
With this being a difficult away European tie, Potter might be tempted to go with a midfield three. If that is the case, then I'd bring Mateo Kovacic back into the XI, alongside the brilliant Enzo Fernandez and Mason Mount, who has been used in a midfield three on multiple occasions this season.
Noni Madueke is absent from the Champions League squad, so Potter could go with Mykhailo Mudryk, Joao Felix and Kai Havertz. Felix was superb on Saturday and he has to keep his place in the side as Chelsea look to hurt Dortmund on Wednesday.
Vincent's XI: Kepa; James, Silva, Koulibaly, Chilwell; Fernandez, Kovacic, Mount; Mudryk, Felix, Havertz.
Scott Trotter
There will be few easy decisions in selecting his starting XI in the weeks and months ahead but for the moment, Potter can quickly include Kepa name on his teamsheet. The players ahead of him are more uncertain however.
Silva will be unable to continue his promising relationship with Badiashile, who did not make the cut for the Blues' Champions League squad. Wesley Fofana has trained but has not played competitively since he was injured in October, while Koulibaly missed the game with West Ham through illness. That could mean Trevoh Chalobah is the best option to partner with the Brazilian veteran.
James completed 90 minutes for the first time since his return against the Hammers and hopefully remains fit enough to start in Europe, while the game may provide an opportunity to take Cucurella out of the firing line. Chilwell has came off the bench in consecutive games and may now be worth a start before being replaced after an hour or so as he continues his return.
Fernandez is an easy choice in midfield and providing some familiarity with another start for Ruben Loftus-Cheek could be the right option at the base of midfield.
Havertz will lead the line with no other options in the European squad and once again be supported by the impressive Felix. Potter has seemed keen to provide Mudryk with minutes and his profile may be impactful against Dortmund's backline. That likely leaves Mount against Hakim Ziyech for the spot to replace Madueke. The greater utility of Mount probably makes sense despite the inclination to let him find form from the bench. That he could easily switch into a midfield three could prove very useful.
Trotter's XI: Kepa; James, Chalobah, Silva, Chilwell; Fernandez, Loftus-Cheek; Mount, Felix, Mudryk; Havertz.
Pick your Chelsea XI to face Dortmund below!
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