Chelsea are set to entertain Wolves at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, hoping to make it three wins on the bounce in the Premier League.
Graham Potter has enjoyed a steady start to life as the Blues boss, winning two and drawing one game in all competitions so far. His team produced a strong performance to beat AC Milan 3-0 at Stamford Bridge in the Champions League on Wednesday evening, thereby, kick-starting their European campaign.
Having beaten Crystal Palace 2-1 last weekend, Potter will want his team to build on the performance and get all three points against a manager-less Wolves side.
Chelsea Team News
Chelsea have suffered a big blow ahead of Wolves’ visit to west London after Wesley Fofana was pictured leaving Stamford Bridge in crutches on Wednesday.
Fofana was forced off injured in the first half against AC Milan, minutes after scoring the first goal. The French defender is set to undergo a scan on Thursday to determine the extent of his knee injury.
N’Golo Kante has been training with the first team since last week as he looks to get fully fit from a thigh injury he suffered against Spurs in August. Marc Cucurella returned back to the squad against AC Milan after recovering from a bout of illness.
Predicted Chelsea Lineup vs Wolves (3-4-2-1)
Kepa Arrizabalaga has started in all three Chelsea games under Graham Potter, and the Spaniard is expected to start between the sticks again on Saturday.
Defence
Graham Potter will set his team up in a 3-4-2-1 formation and will be forced to make changes to his backline following Wesley Fofana’s injury. Cesar Azpilicueta, who was an unused substitute against AC Milan, could be recalled into the starting XI. If that happens, the Spaniard will join Thiago Silva and Kalidou Koulibaly in a three-man backline for the Blues.
All three of them need to be their best collectively if they intend to keep a clean sheet against Wolves.
Midfield
Ruben Loftus-Cheek enjoyed 90 minutes against Milan on Wednesday but could make way for Jorginho, as Potter shuffles his squad. Joining Jorginho in the middle of the park will be Mateo Kovacic, whose energy, tenacity and work rate could make a big difference this weekend.
Reece James has been Chelsea’s best player this season and is a nailed-on starter at right wing-back while fit-again Marc Cucurella may replace Ben Chilwell at left wing-back.
Loftus-Cheek, Denis Zakaria and Conor Gallagher will provide cover in midfield on the bench.
Attack
The trio of Raheem Sterling, Mason Mount and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will form Chelsea’s attack on Saturday. Aubameyang will lead the attack, with Sterling and Mount acting as creative forces behind him.
In Armando Broja, Christian Pulisic and Kai Havertz, Potter will have strong offensive options who can come off the bench and influence the game.
