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Adam Newson & Bobby Vincent

Kai Havertz issue, Edouard Mendy decision: Graham Potter's Chelsea XI vs AC Milan

It's arguably Chelsea's biggest game of the season so far.

The Blues are in desperate need of three points in Group E of the UEFA Champions League as Italian giants AC Milan travel to Stamford Bridge. Chelsea are bottom of the group going into the match with just one point from their first two games.

A defeat against Dinamo Zagreb in Croatia, which turned out to be Thomas Tuchel's final match as head coach, and a draw against Red Bull Salzburg before the international break means Chelsea are in a dangerous position. Milan come to London with four points from their opening matches and on paper, look the biggest challenge for the Blues in the group.

READ MORE: Potter handed triple boost, Bruno involvement: Things spotted in Chelsea training ahead of Milan

For new Chelsea head coach Graham Potter, it's his biggest challenge since taking the role last month. Potter provided the latest injury news in his press conference on Tuesday, where he confirmed Edouard Mendy would return to the squad, but also revealed Kai Havertz and Jorginho both felt minor injuries in Chelsea's win against Crystal Palace at the weekend.

With all of the latest team news now locked into our brains, football.london's Chelsea writers Adam Newson and Bobby Vincent have done their best at predicting how Potter will set his side up on Wednesday against Milan.

Adam Newson

Given Marc Cucurella is available once again following illness, I suspect Graham Potter will revert to a flexible back-three shape against Milan. The biggest decision he has to make is who starts in goal for the Blues with Edouard Mendy fit following a knee injury.

Kepa Arrizabalaga performed well at the weekend and has earned praise from Potter – and I think he will be given the chance to hold on to the No.1 shirt for the visit of Milan. On the right of the back three, I think Wesley Fofana will keep his place and Thiago Silva will occupy the central role.

Cucurella can then slot in at left centre-back and play the hybrid role he impressed in against Red Bull Salzburg and during his time under Potter at Brighton. At right wing-back, Reece James is the clear choice while my guess is Raheem Sterling will occupy the wide role on the opposite flank, although he will be far higher up the pitch.

Mateo Kovacic and Mason Mount are certain to start in central midfield and given Jorginho has been struggling with a slight knock after the weekend victory, I feel Ruben Loftus-Cheek may come into the side to offer greater physicality against the Serie A champions.

The attack would then consist of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who scored his first Chelsea goal at the weekend, and Kai Havertz, who needs to produce a statement display.

Adam's XI: Kepa; Fofana, Silva, Cucurella; James, Kovacic, Loftus-Cheek, Mount, Sterling; Havertz, Aubameyang

Bobby Vincent

It's another difficult one to predict. Potter went with a four-back formation against Palace, which caught some people off guard, including myself.

One of the biggest decisions Potter is set to make is who starts as the goalkeeper for the hosts at Stamford Bridge. The head coach confirmed in his pre-match press conference that Edouard Mendy is fit enough for selection again – and, for me, he comes straight back into the side in place of Kepa Arrizabalaga.

We'll go with a back-four again, with Marc Cucurella coming in for Ben Chilwell on the left-hand side of the defensive line. I'll hand a rest to Thiago Silva and bring Kalidou Koulibaly in alongside Wesley Fofana, with Reece James the obvious choice at right-back.

Potter cast doubt over Jorginho, so there could be a start for Ruben Loftus-Cheek alongside Mateo Kovacic. N'Golo Kante doesn't quite seem ready to return judging by Potter's pre-match comments. Ahead of them, Mason Mount and Kai Havertz (if fit), with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Raheem Sterling as the front-two again.

Bobby's XI: Mendy; James, Fofana, Koulibaly, Cucurella; Kovacic, Loftus-Cheek, Mount, Havertz; Aubameyang, Sterling.

Who gets into your starting XI vs Milan? Use our team selector and leave a comment below to have your say

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