Chelsea return to Premier League action this weekend with a home clash against Leeds United.
The Blues are without a win in their last five league games, so tomorrow would be a great time to end that drought at Stamford Bridge.
There’s plenty of talk within the fanbase about Graham Potter’s future, but the ownership is sticking with him at present as their head coach during a very difficult period.
Chelsea desperately need a response after last weekend’s 2-0 defeat away to Tottenham.
The Chelsea Chronicle has predicted there could be three changes to the starting line-up that takes to the field against Leeds.
GK and defence
Kepa Arrizabalaga continues in-between the sticks as the first-choice goalkeeper.
We are expecting the same full-back pairing to start against Leeds as well, with Reece James and Ben Chilwell two key individuals. Incidentally, we think 23-year-old right-back James will wear the captain’s armband in the absence of some senior teammates.
Thiago Silva suffered a knee injury in the Spurs defeat, so we predict that £70million centre-back Wesley Fofana could be recalled to the XI to start.
It could be Fofana alongside Kalidou Koulibaly in the heart of defence.
Midfield
Enzo Fernandez has quickly established himself as one of the first names in the team sheet since his January arrival, so surely he’ll keep his starting position in the midfield.
The second of three changes could see Ruben Loftus-Cheek dropped to the bench. The 27-year-old’s had opportunities from Potter lately to impress in the side, but it feels like he’s not quite grabbed them fully.
Denis Zakaria, who’s now back fit again, could drop into the midfield.
Attack
It definitely looks like Potter likes to operate with Joao Felix as the No.10 and Kai Havertz as the No.9, so that would be the most likely outcome against Leeds.
Raheem Sterling was a rare positive in the previous game, so perhaps he’ll keep his place in the team.
However, the third and final change could see Mykhailo Mudryk come in for Hakim Ziyech in the wide position.
Kepa
James Fofana Koulibaly Chilwell
Fernandez Zakaria
Sterling Felix Mudryk
Havertz
IN: Wesley Fofana, Denis Zakaria, Mykhailo Mudryk,
OUT: Thiago Silva, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Hakim Ziyech
Keep up to date with all the latest Chelsea news and opinion by following The Chelsea Chronicle’s Facebook and Twitter accounts.