Graham Potter faces a number of major Chelsea team selection decisions for the Blues' Premier League clash against Southampton on Saturday. Seven players being acquired in the January transfer window was a necessity at the time due to the injury crisis in west London, but with many of those now returning to fitness, Potter faces a significant matchday squad dilemma.
Of those major injury absentees returning, Reece James has been the only player to feature consistently, although Raheem Sterling and Ben Chilwell have both been handed minutes, with the latter making his first start for over three months against Borussia Dortmund.
However, Chilwell and Sterling looked to be doubts for the weekend after each picking up knocks. but Potter delivered a "positive" update on Friday. "We're going to train later on this afternoon so providing they come through that okay there's every chance they make the squad." However, there are also reports that James could be rested for the clash at Stamford Bridge.
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Denis Zakaria, Mateo Kovacic and Wesley Fofana are also on the brink of being given game time after the trio were all on the bench in Germany. Conor Gallagher and Ruben Loftus-Cheek will no doubt be hoping for a start alongside Enzo Fernandez with Loftus-Cheek the current partner of the World Cup winner.
With Zakaria and Kovacic available again though, Loftus-Cheek, if named in the starting XI, could face an early substitution with three players now fighting for a spot in the midfield.
Kalidou Koulibaly certainly staked his claim for a first Premier League start in a month following his assured performance in the Champions League. Meanwhile, David Datro Fofana and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will likely both feel they can help Chelsea's current goal scoring woes, best on display at Signal Iduna Park on Wednesday.
With that said, here is the full list of players Potter can choose his matchday squad from as Chilwell and Sterling likely face late fitness tests.
Goalkeepers: Kepa Arrizabalaga, Marcus Bettinelli, Lucas Bergstrom.
Defenders: Thiago Silva, Benoit Badiashile, Trevoh Chalobah, Ben Chilwell, Reece James, Kalidou Koulibaly, Cesar Azpilicueta, Marc Cucurella, Wesley Fofana.
Midfielders: Enzo Fernandez, Mateo Kovacic, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Mason Mount, Denis Zakaria, Conor Gallagher, Carney Chukwuemeka, Lewis Hall.
Forwards: Joao Felix, Mykhailo Mudryk, Hakim Ziyech, Kai Havertz, Noni Madueke, David Datro Fofana, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Raheem Sterling.
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