Chelsea can't afford any more slip-ups in the Champions League if they are to make it through to the knockout stage. It's why tonight's visit of AC Milan is a game Graham Potter's side can't afford to lose and desperately need to win.
"They are a top team and we have to be really good to get the result we want," Potter explained at his pre-match press conference. "It [the Champions League] is a real challenge. If you drop your level, sometimes you can get away with it but against the very best teams, which these teams are, they can punish you and that’s what you expect."
Chelsea found that out the hard way against Dinamo Zagreb; the Blues lost their Group E opener 1-0 in Croatia. And one mistake meant that the home match against Red Bull Salzburg ended in a 1-1 draw. They are two results that have left Chelsea bottom of their group after two matches.
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So Milan have to be beaten at Stamford Bridge, especially with a return game at San Siro next week. Fortunately, Potter has an almost fully fit squad from which to select his side. The only absentee is expected to be N'Golo Kante, who is in the final stages of his recovery from a hamstring injury but isn't ready to feature.
There is a big decision for the Englishman to make over who starts in goal. Edouard Mendy has missed the last three matches with a knee tendon but is now fit and back in the squad. The Senegal international has been the club's No.1 goalkeeper since arriving from Rennes in September 2020 but has struggled for form this season.
In his absence, Kepa Arrizabalga has stepped up. The Spaniard performed well at the weekend against Crystal Palace and is likely to keep his place between the posts this evening. Whether he is protected by a back four or fluid back three is the other big decision for Potter to make.
It's suspected the Chelsea head coach will go back to a fluid three-man defence. Wesley Fofana should start on the right with Thiago Silva in the middle. Marc Cucurella, absent at the weekend due to illness, is back and should occupy the left centre-back role but with the brief of covering left-back when the Blues have possession.
Reece James is a lock at right wing-back should Potter go with the back three – and he'd start at right-back if it's a four – and on the opposite flank may be Raheem Sterling, although the England international would operate as more of a winger as he did against Salzburg.
That would leave a midfield three of Mason Mount, Mateo Kovacic and Jorignho and a front two of Kai Havertz and Pierre-Emerick Aubmayang, who scored his first Chelsea goal in the win over Palace at the weekend.
Predicted Chelsea XI: Kepa; Fofana, Silva, Cucurella; James, Kovacic, Jorginho, Mount, Sterling; Havertz, Aubameyang
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