There has been little room for optimism for Chelsea in the Premier League this season. Tenth in the table and with just two wins in their previous ten matches, the campaign appears to be drifting toward an unsatisfying conclusion. Yet the Champions League provides a chance for supporters to dream.
Tonight, Chelsea take on Borussia Dortmund in the first leg of their Round of 16 tie. A strong performance at Signal Iduna Park can put Potter's side in a good position to reach the quarter-final stage. And from then on – potentially with a fit N'Golo Kante – anything could happen.
Yet it would be foolish to look beyond Dortmund. Potter certainly won't be, especially given he knows BVB boss Edin Terzic from his time on coaching courses. "My first impressions of him were very positive. Really humble guy, very intelligent, articulate, open-minded, creative, everything you want in a coach, he has those attributes," Potter said at his post-match press conference.
READ MORE: Every word Graham Potter said on getting angry, Dortmund vs Chelsea, Mudryk, Cucurella, signings
"If you look at his career, he’s had a variety of experiences in different places, done lots of different roles, so there is a nice mix of both things. Then you can see the quality of work he has done recently, since the break, Dortmund have had a fantastic run. They are a really organised team that attack well, defend well, and have good individuals within there.
"So he’s doing a fantastic job and I’m pleased for him. Obviously, I want to make it difficult for him in the next couple of games but after that, I wish him well.”
Potter will be without several players, including Kante, Christian Pulisic, Raheem Sterling and Armando Broja. But Wesley Fofana, Mateo Kovacic and Denis Zakaria are all back in the first-team squad having recovered from their respective injuries.
With Edouard Mendy ruled out until at least the end of the month having undergone surgery on a fractured finger in January, Kepa Arrizabalaga will continue in goal for the Blues. Marcus Bettinelli and Lucas Bergstrom, who was added to the B list earlier this week, will be on the bench.
If Potter continues with a back four, Reece James will be deployed at right-back. On the opposite flank could be Ben Chilwell, who has continued to build up his fitness after overcoming a hamstring injury. Marc Cucurella has struggled for form in recent weeks and would drop to the bench.
Thiago Silva is guaranteed to start at centre-back and Potter has to decide who replaces the unregistered Benoit Badiashile alongside the Brazilian. Trevoh Chalobah would be the choice purely on form but Kalidou Koulibaly's experience on the European stage may see him given the nod.
Enzo Fernandez will continue in midfield and after an encouraging showing against West Ham United at the weekend, Ruben Loftus-Cheek may be again stationed alongside Chelsea's club-record signing. Joao Felix could then continue operating in a free role ahead behind Kai Havertz.
With Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and David Datro Fofana not included in the Champions League squad, Havertz will continue as the leader of the Chelsea attack. Mykhailo Mudryk is expected to start once more on the left and Hakim Ziyech could come back in on the right with Noni Madueke another player who can't feature at Signal Iduna Park after not making it into the squad list.
Predicted Chelsea side: Kepa; James, Silva, Koulibaly, Chilwell; Fernandez, Loftus-Cheek; Ziyech, Felix, Mudryk; Havertz
READ NEXT:
Thiago Silva sends three-word warning to new Chelsea signings after £300m January transfer spree
Graham Potter faces two major defensive selection decisions for Chelsea vs Borussia Dortmund
Chelsea face triple suspension risk for Borussia Dortmund clash amid Kalidou Koulibaly decision
Reece James delivers brutal verdict on January transfer window after Chelsea's £300m spend
Graham Potter has 'almost impossible' Thomas Tuchel task at Chelsea with Borussia Dortmund quest
