Graham Potter starts 23-year-old out of position: Predicted Chelsea XI for Fulham match tomorrow
Graham Potter is unlikely to be able to call upon Joao Felix for tomorrow’s Premier League derby against Fulham.
The Portugal international is yet to be announced as a Chelsea player, despite reportedly being spotted at the training ground ahead of the deal being confirmed.
Instead, the former Brighton man will have to work with the same depleted squad that have been hit with dismal injury luck.
Here’s The Chelsea Chronicle’s predicted line-up for the West London derby.
GK and Defence
Edouard Mendy’s finger injury makes Kepa Arrizabalaga the obvious choice for goalkeeper, despite a number of questions over a few goals conceded recently.
With no Reece James still, Trevoh Chalobah will be handed the start at right-back, similar to how he was playing against Manchester City in the FA Cup.
Thiago Silva’s organisational skills were sorely missed at the weekend, and he’ll return for the start tomorrow night.
He will be partnered by Kalidou Koulibaly, whose mixed start to life in England continued at the Etihad.
Marc Cucurella, who has certainly looked a lot stronger in the games since the World Cup break, will return at left-back.
Midfield
Denis Zakaria has been arguably the standout star since domestic football returned, and he will start in midfield tomorrow.
Jorginho will continue in a midfield three that is still desperately missing a figure such as N’golo Kante.
The trio will be completed by Mateo Kovacic, who certainly takes some of the workload the Switzerland international has had when partnering Jorginho in a two.
Attack
Injuries to wingers will hand Hakim Ziyech another chance on the right-hand-side. It feels like it’s now or never for his Chelsea career.
Mason Mount will return to a more attacking role, with the likes of Raheem Sterling and Christian Pulisic not fit to feature.
Kai Havertz will lead the line, despite recently showing he perhaps suit a slightly deeper role a lot better.
