Pep Guardiola may have handed Graham Potter the late Christmas present he was waiting for. With injuries piling up and an ever-growing January to-do list the Chelsea manager has been a lot on his mind before it even gets to the football itself.
The pressure was somewhat relieved after a 2-0 win over Bournemouth in the first match back after the World Cup but Reece James' injury dampened the atmosphere on the night. That not only added the immediate task of balancing the side but also finding an effective replacement in the market.
Chelsea have been running this risk for too long having failed to sign a back-up full-back to cover for James last summer. Cesar Azpilicueta deputises there but at 33 isn't close to offering the same output at either end of the pitch, let alone both.
