A recurring theme of Chelsea's disappointing season has been injuries – and there are once again several for Graham Potter to contend with ahead of this afternoon's clash against relegation-threatened Leeds United.
Edouard Mendy remains sidelined after undergoing surgery on a fractured finger in January. Thiago Silva is also still out having injured his knee against Tottenham Hotspur last weekend. Reece James (hamstring) is a doubt, Cesar Azpilicueta is out, and N'Golo Kante isn't ready to feature despite having returned to training.
Mason Mount won't play at Stamford Bridge today (Saturday) due to an abdomen injury. Christian Pulisic isn't expected to feature either as he inches his way back from a knee problem. And finally, Armando Broja continues to recover from a knee ligament injury sustained in December.
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It doesn't put Chelsea in the best position to turn around their dismal form. The Blues have won just two of their last 15 matches in the top flight and are closer to the relegation zone (ten points) to the Champions League places (14 points). It's little surprise Potter remains under pressure.
"There is support [from the owners] and, of course, I've spoken to them," Potter explained yesterday at his pre-match press conference. "But I'm not going to hide behind that. The results haven't been good enough for us and I'm responsible for that.
"When you're a coach, if the results are good you accept the criticism and noise that comes with it. My job is to stay with the team, stay focused, try to prepare the team as well as I can, and win the game tomorrow."
Given the uncertainty over James and the absence of Azpilicueta, Potter may consider a change of shape against Leeds. Yet if he opts to continue with the 4-2-3-1 system he has used since the World Cup break, there are a handful of tricky decisions to make.
Kepa Arrizabalaga will continue in goal, that much is certain. At right-back, Trevoh Chalobah may well get the call. The academy graduate, a central defender by trade, did deputise out of position in January and didn't let Chelsea down.
Wesley Fofana is the obvious candidate to replace Silva in the backline and he will likely be partnered by Kalidou Koulibaly, who has looked more assured in the previous two matches. Ahead of the Champions League clash against Borussia Dortmund, Ben Chilwell may step out and be replaced at left-back by Marc Cucurella.
Enzo Fernandez has played every minute since his arrival from Benfica and is expected to start more. His midfield partner may prove to be Denis Zakaria, who made his return from an injury as a half-time substitute against Tottenham.
Raheem Sterling is set to continue on the right of the attack, while Joao Felix will start once more as the No.10. And Mudryk may return on the left after a sharp cameo last weekend.
Kai Havertz has played the majority of the games since the World Cup break but Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was back in the matchday squad last weekend and may get the nod to start up top.
Predicted Chelsea side: Kepa; Chalobah, Fofana, Koulibaly, Cucurella; Enzo, Zakaria; Sterling, Felix, Mudryk; Aubameyang
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