Graham Potter has already been without Reece James for 15 matches this season, and it seems plausible that Saturday could bring one more against Leeds United. The Blues boss noted that James was a doubt for the game as he is suffering with a tight hamstring.
With a game on Tuesday that Chelsea's season is pretty much riding on against Borussia Dortmund, utilising the defender may be deemed a risk too far, given his load was already being managed when he was rested against Southampton. James did not feature in Chelsea's training on Friday.
Potter's task has been made more difficult by being without Thiago Silva, out for six weeks with a knee ligament injury, while Mason Mount was another name to add to the injury list as he looks to overcome an abdomen issue. Of course, the Blues boss has no shortage of players to choose from, though the wingback they signed in January, Malo Gusto, is both on loan at Lyon and actually at Cobham but only to rehabilitate an injury of his own.
READ MORE: Why Chelsea can score against Leeds but Graham Potter must be wary of Southampton repeat
For much of last season Cesar Azpilicueta acted as James' deputy on the right but he is still working through concussion protocols having been knocked out against Southampton in February. Potter has not necessarily relied upon the club captain to fulfill the role on the right however and already tried some alternatives.
football.london takes a look at some of Graham Potter's options.
Trevoh Chalobah at right back
Chalobah was absent from the squad against Spurs and only featured for six minutes across three games against Fulham, West Ham and Southampton. However, in two matches before that, the 23-year-old did start on the right side of a back four and was part of a backline that did not concede a goal against Liverpool or Crystal Palace.
Chalobah wouldn't bring close to the same threat as James down the right side of the pitch, though the wingback covered quite a limited role in the match against Spurs. Utilising Chalobah would allow a degree of versatility as he could easily move to become part of a back three, while the likes of Hakim Ziyech positions himself as wingback dependent on the game scenario.
Potter has appeared keen to move forward with a back four since the World Cup, and Chalobah would be able to facilitate that consistency the easiest.
Swap to a back three with Ruben Loftus-Cheek at wing-back
The other option would be to play with a back three. Potter has made use of his central midfielders in a wing-back role on occasion with Ruben Loftus-Cheek having position in the role under Potter and Thomas Tuchel.
The Cobham product had a standout performance against Real Madrid last term and has looked comfortable in the role, with the correct defensive support, by showing his awareness to operate as a wingback whilst also being able to make a midfield three when the situation dictates.
Swap to a back three with a winger at wing-back
Potter has been unafraid to hand the likes of Raheem Sterling, Hakim Ziyech and Christian Pulisic room to run into from the wingback role and that also offers another option. Sterling's forays into the position have had mixed success. When given little defensive responsibility against Red Bull Salzburg, he flourished. Against Aston Villa he was targeted more successfully by the opposition.
Given Sterling has been one of Chelsea's finer threats since his return from injury, he should not be taken away from the opposition area. The move however would be more of a natural fit for Ziyech.
The Morocco international has been trusted by Potter and appears to be an integral part of his thinking, despite the fact Chelsea sanctioned his move to PSG that fell-through on transfer deadline day. Recent weeks have seen Ziyech produce plenty of work-rate to operate as a winger and also filter into the system as a wingback when Chelsea have been required to defend.
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