The games don't get any easier for Chelsea and Graham Potter. After being beaten 1-0 by Arsenal at the weekend, the Blues now face a trip to Manchester City in the third round of the Carabao Cup.
Chelsea were outclassed on Sunday afternoon in what was a fairly poor performance against the Gunners. Potter's game plan never looked like working. The Blues struggled to find the right balance between defending and attacking and were often left short up top when trying to break on Arsenal.
It was a really disappointing afternoon for the likes of Mason Mount, Raheem Sterling, Kai Havertz and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who all couldn't get into the game when Chelsea needed them most. With the trip to Premier League champions Man City just over three days after, Potter could be tempted to make numerous changes with a tough clash against Newcastle United to come at the weekend.
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It's a bit of a tough decision for Potter regarding his team selection for the match at the Etihad Stadium. We saw last week against Dinamo Zagreb, in what was effectively a 'dead rubber' in the Champions League, he was reluctant to make too many changes or play some of the so-called 'fringe' players. It very much depends on what the Chelsea head coach prioritises out of the Carabao Cup or the Premier League at the weekend.
So, with this being said, football.london takes a look at four players, whose combined value adds up to around £130million and have struggled for game-time this season that could be called upon for the match in Manchester. All players values are via CIES Football Observatory.
Denis Zakaria
Zakaria has played just once for Chelsea since signing from Juventus on transfer deadline day on a season-long loan. In that match, the 25-year-old shone for the Blues, scoring what turned out to be the winning goal versus Dinamo Zagreb.
Many wanted the Switzerland international to get another start against Arsenal at the weekend, but Potter did not turn to the defensive midfielder. There is an expectancy that Zakaria will be on the field at the Etihad, where he will have a tougher job than he did against Dinamo, no matter what team Pep Guardiola chooses for the champions.
Hakim Ziyech
Ziyech was an unused substitute again for Chelsea's 1-0 defeat to Arsenal on Sunday. The 29-year-old is clearly not part of Potter's long-term plans at Stamford Bridge but will still be hoping for some minutes before the World Cup break.
If anything, the Moroccan will be keen to get out on the pitch so he can almost play himself in contention for a move away from the club in the January transfer window. There was interest in the summer from Ajax and AC Milan, but because of his lack of football this season, it could be putting the two European clubs off somewhat. If selected, this could actually be Ziyech's final Chelsea game.
Christian Pulisic
After back-to-back starts against FC Salzburg and Brighton, Pulisic was finally getting a chance to prove himself this season. However, the American was dropped to the bench for the match against Dinamo last week, and he was also a substitute for the Arsenal defeat.
After playing a total of just 19 minutes in the last two games, Pulisic could be called upon once more for the match in Manchester on Wednesday. Whether that is at wing-back because of Chelsea's lack of options out wide at the moment or in a more advanced position remains to be seen.
Armando Broja
Broja has made just one start this season in all competitions for Chelsea. The 21-year-old striker has made a total of 16 appearances in the Premier League and Champions League, but 15 of them have come from the bench.
The Albanian came on for 26 minutes against Arsenal, and while he made some threatening runs in behind, he was unable to get too involved in what was a dismal Chelsea attacking display. There could be scope for Broja to start against City and hand the likes of Aubameyang and Havertz a rest.
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