Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk may finally return to Graham Potter’s starting line-up against Leicester City amid Raheem Sterling’s injury doubts
After a convincing win over Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday, many expect Potter to field the same starting line-up this weekend.
This proved impossible, however, after the manager ruled Reece James out of the game due to illness.
In addition to that, Sterling, who scored against Dortmund, may also be absent.
“Raheem had a little feeling in his hamstring, more tightness than anything,” the Chelsea manager said in Friday’s press conference.
“So he’s looking doubtful for tomorrow as well.”
Sterling’s possible absence could give way for several players; Mudryk, Noni Madueke, Hakim Ziyech, and Christian Pulisic.
Sterling played on the right in the last two games, so Madueke and Ziyech are arguably the more suitable replacement options.
However, Potter could also move Joao Felix to the right flank and allow Mudryk, who has not started since the first-leg defeat to Dortmund, to play in his favoured left position.
“Mykhailo certainly comes into the equation,” Potter explained.
“He’s a player we believe in a lot, he’s adapting to the new situation.
“When he arrived he was at the start of a pre-season campaign really, so to just come in and hit the Premier League running is not so easy to do.
“But day by day and week by week he’s getting stronger and stronger, so he will be in the squad tomorrow and there’s a chance that he could play.”
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