There can be no more slip-ups for Chelsea in the Premier League. Not if they are to keep their slim hopes of finishing in the Premier League top four alive. So Southampton – bottom of the table and without a head coach – must be brushed aside this afternoon at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea's top-flight form is poor. They've won just two of their previous 10 league matches and the victories, against Bournemouth and Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge, were hardly convincing. So the challenge for Graham Potter and his expensively assembled squad is clear.
Potter won't be able to call upon Edouard Mendy. Nor N'Golo Kante and Christian Pulisic. Armando Broja isn't expected to be available for selection until next season. Yet Chelsea's injury crisis has eased over the past fortnight and Potter has a strong group of players from which to select this starting XI
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After undergoing surgery last month on a fractured finger, Mendy remains sidelined. Not that he would likely be starting in goal were he fit. Since Potter's arrival, Kepa Arrizabalaga has reasserted himself as the club's number one and he will continue against Southampton.
It's understood that Reece James will be rested for the fixture and that will likely result in Cesar Azpilicueta being handed the right-back berth ahead of Trevoh Chalobah.
Thiago Silva continues to perform expertly at the age of 38 but it may prove to be a game for which he is rested. Kalidou Koulibaly could then start in central defence once more alongside Benoit Badiashile. The 21-year-old was absent for the midweek defeat at Signal Iduna Park as he wasn't registered in Chelsea's Champions League group for the knockout stage.
Ben Chilwell made his first start in three months against Dortmund and completed 70 minutes. That was an important step in his comeback but Potter doesn't want to push the 26-year-old too hard. He said yesterday: "The decision [whether Chilwell starts] will be based on how he recovers. We'll make the call about the extent he can play but it's something we have to be mindful of."
If the decision is taken not to start Chilwell, then Marc Cucurella is the obvious candidate to return at left-back. The Spaniard has come under criticism and was jeered by Chelsea supporters at West Ham last weekend. It's a situation Potter doesn't agree with, even though he understands fans are free to air their opinions.
"With the results we are having and where we are in the table, unfortunately, you expect somebody to be getting the brunt of the criticism," the Chelsea head coach explained. "I think that’s the pattern. Whether it is fair or not doesn’t matter, the supporters are entitled to their opinion and voice because without them there is no football club.
"I think as professionals we have to accept that. We have to work as hard as we can to change opinions. That is what it is and the challenge for us. I am not going to argue against it. Marc is a big boy, he is an adult who has got kids, he knows the situation. We have to help him to change his perspectives on this."
If Potter continues with a two-man midfield, Enzo Fernandez is set to start once more and he may be partnered by Mateo Kovacic, who is fit again having overcome a calf injury.
Noni Madueke wasn't eligible to feature in midweek against Borussia Dortmund so will be fresh and ready to return on the right of the Chelsea attack. Joao Felix will start once again given his influence in a free role and Potter may decide to bring in Mason Mount on the left.
The big decision is who leads the attack. There has been much debate about the qualities of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang after his absence from Chelsea's defeat in Germany, but it's unlikely he is thrown back into the starting XI. David Datro Fofana, meanwhile, could be given an opportunity but it's likely Kai Havertz continues as the No.9.
Predicted Chelsea side: Kepa; Azpilicueta, Koulibaly, Badiashile, Cucurella; Fernandez, Kovacic; Madueke, Felix, Mount; Havertz.
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