Chelsea travel to Aston Villa on Sunday looking to extend their winning run under Graham Potter to five matches. Following an opening draw against Red Bull Salzburg the former Brighton boss has overseen two victories over AC Milan in addition to collecting three points against Crystal Palace and Wolves.
The Blues have not came through unscathed however, with Reece James coming off injured at the San Siro. The England international is set to see a specialist this weekend, with his World Cup chances now in doubt. The blow comes one week after Wesley Fofana picked up a significant knee strain that has ruled him out until after the World Cup, while N'Golo Kante is set to see a consultant after suffering a setback on his return from a hamstring injury.
Potter has already proved adaptable in the early stages of his time in charge of Chelsea, and utilised diverse systems. The west London side could be set for a number of changes again this weekend as their new head coach looks to solidify his side for life without James.
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With that said, football.london's Chelsea reporters name the teams they would consider to take on Steven Gerrard's Aston Villa side.
Adam Newson
Graham Potter will have to reshuffle his defence in the absence of Reece James – and I suspect that may mean Chelsea return to the back four they utilised against Wolverhampton Wanderers last weekend. Cesar Azpilicueta may not be as spritely as in years past but he is the obviously change to begin at right-back alongside the more mobile Trevoh Chalobah. I’d start Thiago Silva alongside the academy graduate and go with Marc Cucurella at left-back given he will be fresher than Ben Chilwell.
I would be inclined to go with a midfield three of Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Mateo Kovacic and Mason Mount, with the latter given licence to join the attack when Chelsea are in possession. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Raheem Sterling deserve to start in the attack and I’d bring Kai Havertz back into the side on the right of a front three.
Adam’s XI: Kepa; Azpilicueta, Chalobah, Silva, Cucurella; Loftus-Cheek, Kovacic, Mount; Havertz, Aubameyang, Sterling
Scott Trotter
Reece James' absence will ensure that Graham Potter is forced into at least one change this weekend with Cesar Azpilicueta the standout candidate to fulfill his role. It could also see the Spaniard accommodated by Chelsea's fluid back four system that Potter has employed whenever the club captain has started. Trevoh Chalobah's place is secure given the pace he offers the backline and he should partner Thiago Silva, with Marc Cucurella coming in to play his versatile role on the left in place of Ben Chilwell.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek's impressive season, and time on the bench against Milan should see him partner Mateo Kovacic in midfield as Jorginho once again takes his turn to rest. Potter will have a big decision to make over whether to continue starting Mason Mount during such a busy period given his recent form, but Sunday may be the opportunity to rest him and start Kai Havertz in behind Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
The former Arsenal star could be flanked by Raheem Sterling on the left after he was utilised in a wing-back role with limited defensive responsibilities against Salzburg, while Conor Gallagher showed what he could offer on the right against Wolves.
Scott's XI: Kepa, Azpilicueta, Chalobah, Silva, Cucurella; Kovacic, Loftus-Cheek, Gallagher, Havertz, Sterling; Aubameyang.
Daniel Childs
The significant blow of losing Reece James will be hard to quickly recover from, but Cesar Azpilicueta did perform an important role against Wolves in creating overloads down the right, something that will likely be key against a pretty narrow Aston Villa side under Steven Gerrard.
Whether Graham Potter goes with the seven changes after a midweek game is hard to know, I suspect Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Mason Mount will keep their spots after producing in the past three games. Whilst I also think Ruben Loftus-Cheek will return to a central midfield role after Jorginho took his place at the San Siro.
Daniel's XI : Kepa, Chalobah, Koulibaly, Cucurella, Azpilicueta, Kovacic, Loftus-Cheek, Chilwell, Sterling, Aubameyang, Mount
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