Report: Graham Potter was told five Chelsea players risked serious injury if he started them vs Southampton

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Graham Potter was reportedly told that five Chelsea players risked picking up a serious injury if he started them at the weekend.

According to The Telegraph, Chelsea’s medical team warned the Blues head coach about the fitness levels of Reece James, Thiago Silva, Kai Havertz, Raheem Sterling and Mykhailo Mudryk.

The report says Potter was informed the five individuals risked a “significant injury” if they were to start Saturday’s Premier League fixture at home to Southampton.

James and Silva were left out of the squad completely. Meanwhile, Havertz, Sterling and Mudryk were used as substitutes during the second-half.

Unfortunately, it was another forgettable afternoon for Blues fans, who saw their team lose 1-0 to Premier League strugglers Southampton.

There’s been plenty of frustration in the Chelsea fanbase about Potter’s team selection on Saturday.

However, losing the likes of James or Silva for a long period of time would cause far more damage to the side in the long-term.

The risk didn’t pay off for Chelsea’s boss on the weekend, but could you imagine the backlash if he ignored medical advice and key players received major injuries?

There was definitely still enough quality in the starting line-up to beat a Southampton side rooted to the bottom of the league table, so the bigger concern should be around the team’s performance.

The Telegraph explains that Potter has been told by Chelsea’s owners to ‘fight through’ the difficult period right now.

His side are in dreadful form and the season is hanging by a thread, which is why every decision he makes is under extra scrutiny from the fanbase.

Hopefully, the side can perform a U-turn this Sunday when they travel to rivals Tottenham in the Premier League.

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