Chelsea star Reece James is set for a period on the sidelines after suffering a serious knee injury during the win against AC Milan on Tuesday night.
Early indications suggested James' injury was not serious but is understood that after undergoing further scans on Thursday they have revealed the extent of the injury is worse than initially hoped, football.london understands. The 22-year-old went down in the second half of Wednesday night's 2-0 victory at San Siro following a challenge on Theo Hernandez.
After receiving treatment and attempting to continue, Graham Potter took the decision to replace James with Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta. The injury now leaves the England international facing a race against time in order to be declared fit for the World Cup in Qatar next month.
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Following the news of James' major injury blow, football.london takes a look at four ways Potter could set up his Chelsea team for the upcoming fixtures starting this weekend with an away trip against Brentford.
Cesar Azpilicueta cover
With Reece James set to miss Chelsea's upcoming fixtures, it may now be time for Azpilicueta to prove why he remains a solid option in defence. The Spaniard has made nine appearances so far this season, playing a total of 465 minutes and showed that can still operate as a wing-back after replacing James in the win against AC Milan.
At 33-years-old he may not be able to perform in the role as well as he previously could in his prime, but his experience in the position and defensive attributes will still prove to be valuable as the Blues prepare to be without the England international for a significant period of time.
Possible Chelsea line-up (3-5-2): Arrizabalaga; Chalobah, Koulibaly, Silva; Azpilicueta, Jorginho, Kovacic, Chilwell; Mount, Sterling, Aubameyang.
Four at the back
Graham Potter may look to switch to a four-man defence with James out injured and slot Azpilicueta alongside Koulibaly, Silva and Chilwell. The injury to the 22-year-old is a massive blow considering the influence he has in both attack and defence in the right wing-back role, a position which is key to how Chelsea play.
Potter has previously admitted that he could look to change formations and personnel throughout the busy period of fixtures leading up to the World Cup in Qatar next month, and the injury to James could force his hand in doing so.
Possible Chelsea line-up (4-4-2): Arrizabalaga; Azpilicueta, Koulibaly, Silva, Chilwell; Sterling, Kovacic, Jorginho, Mount; Aubameyang, Havertz.
Raheem Sterling new role
Whilst this would likely only be an emergency option for Graham Potter, summer signing Raheem Sterling could be utilised at right wing-back to maintain the favoured formation whilst still providing an attacking threat from wide areas. The England superstar played left wing-back in Potter's first game in charge against RB Salzburg and got himself on the scoresheet, suggesting Sterling could provide the same threat from the opposite flank.
Possible Chelsea line-up (3-5-2): Arrizabalaga; Chalobah, Koulibaly, Silva; Sterling, Jorginho, Kovacic, Chilwell; Mount, Havertz, Aubameyang.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek to the rescue
Ruben Loftus-Cheek has played at right wing-back before under Thomas Tuchel and Potter could look to repeat his predecessor's tactics following the news of James' injury blow. The midfielder's physicality and ability on the ball makes him a suitable candidate to step in for James, though it is likely that Chelsea will severely miss the 22-year-old's attacking threat and defensive qualities.
Possible Chelsea line-up (3-5-2): Arrizabalaga; Chalobah, Koulibaly, Silva; Loftus-Cheek, Jorginho, Kovacic, Chilwell; Mount, Sterling, Aubameyang.
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