Chelsea currently sit rock bottom of their UEFA Champions League group after picking up just one point in two games so far.
Graham Potter has a task on his hand to turn the Blues' Champions League form around with a huge clash against Serie A champions AC Milan next up in Group E. Thomas Tuchel was sacked following Chelsea's opening group stage defeat to Dinamo Zagreb whilst Potter took charge of his first game as Blues' head coach in the 1-1 draw against Red Bull Salzburg.
The west London outfit will face Milan twice in a week following the game against Crystal Palace to start a busy month of fixtures in October. Chelsea are dealing with their own injury crisis at present but have been boosted by the news that Milan could be without a number of key players for the game at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday, October 5.
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During the international break, AC Milan have been hampered with a number of injuries to key players including Theo Hernandez and Sandro Tonali. This will hand Chelsea a major boost should the Milan duo be absent with both being regarded as crucial players in Stefano Pioli's side.
Gazzetta dello Sport have reported the extent of the Italians' injury woes, with up to four players facing a race against time to face the Blues at Stamford Bridge after the international break. As well as Tonali and Hernandez, former Liverpool striker Divock Origi and Ante Rebic are also doubts ahead of the game against Chelsea.
Tonali left Italy's camp during the international break as a precaution with Milan hoping to have him back before they face Empoli next weekend, just days before travelling to London. Hernandez was absent from France's squad for their UEFA Nations League games over the break, instead staying in Milan as he recovers from a muscle injury.
It is thought that the French defender will find it 'impossible' to return for the Empoli game, whilst the match against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge is 'very difficult' for him to also make a return in. Rebic is set to return to training this week, but has not played since August so could once again miss out.
Origi will miss the first match at Stamford Bridge, but could be fit for the return fixture when Potter's side travel to the San Siro a week later. Ex-Chelsea duo Olivier Giroud and Fikayo Tomori are set to be passed fit and are expected to line-up for Milan as they look to add further salt into the wounds for their former side next month after the Blues' poor start to the season.
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