Thiago Silva has played more minutes than any other Chelsea player this season. Now, with Graham Potter perhaps entering the two most crucial matches of his Chelsea career so far, the Blues will be without the 38-year-old veteran who has been the club's standout player of the season.
It was confirmed on Tuesday that Silva had suffered knee ligament damage in Chelsea's defeat to Tottenham Hotspur. The Brazilian international fell after challenging a raft of players and landed awkwardly before attempting to carry on after treatment, though seemingly just to a more appropriate time for his substitution.
Potter will need to fashion a new partnership in his backline to deal without the consistency of Silva, having just rested the former AC Milan and PSG star for the defeat to Southampton. It wasn't long into that match that he was missed. Despite their form, the Blues still have a competitive defensive record, with only Arsenal and Newcastle having conceded fewer goals.
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Potter will hope to maintain that record as he attempts to lift Chelsea's goal difference from being in the negatives and add to Chelsea's points tally against Leeds United. football.london takes a look at his options.
Wesley Fofana starts
The Frenchman was the man to replace Silva at the weekend, and ultimately was the Brazilian's replacement against Southampton when he entered play after 45 minutes when Kalidou Koulibaly was sacrificed. Fofana displayed some leadership qualities against the Saints on his return and took plenty of responsibility on the pitch before ensuring the team went to greet fans at full time.
He again put in a solid outing against Spurs and now could be compelled into his first start since October. The combination of Koulibaly and Benoit Badiashile appeared a shaky one, so Fofana is a prime contender to start against Leeds and again versus Borussia Dortmund with Badiashile being unavailable for that clash.
Trevoh Chalobah starts
The Cobham product has faded from involvement in the first team of late and was absent from the squad entirely for the trip to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Chalobah last started against Liverpool in the Premier League and has played just six minutes since.
However, the 23-year-old was perhaps Potter's most consistent option after the injury to Fofana in October and proved himself a key part of Chelsea earning a solid defensive record. His introduction would allow Koulibaly or Badiashile to remain on the left side of the central defensive partnership, while he could also combine with Fofana if required.
The former Huddersfield loanee has been a consistent presence in the few times Silva has already been missing this season.
A back three
Since the return from the World Cup break, Potter has consistently opted to make use of a back four, although it has operated as a back five out of possession at times with Hakim Ziyech sometimes acting as a wingback. Early in Potter's tenure, there was an appetite to move away from the system to a back four but now there appears to be an equal appetite to see the solidity of it return.
Chelsea could see Chalobah play the central role and be flanked by Fofana on the right and either Badiashile or Koulibaly on the left. It would test the Blues' options, particularly in the Champions League where Potter would be forced to field a trio without Badiashile.
Perhaps Marc Cucurella could help provide some coverage in that situation, or Cesar Azpilicueta when he comes through the required concussion protocols.
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