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Football London
Football London
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Scott Trotter

Chelsea predicted starting XI vs Brighton as Blues face key Mateo Kovacic decision

With Champions League qualification sealed, it's back to the Premier League for Graham Potter and Chelsea. No doubt, some changes will be afoot.

The Blues head to the Amex Stadium to take on Brighton as their new head coach returns to familiar territory for the first time since taking the Stamford Bridge hotseat. The Seagulls have yet to win a game since Potter departed.

With a dead rubber in next week's European game, Potter is sure to go with a full strength team against Brighton however, albeit with some rotation to ensure the playing time of his squad is managed. Chelsea still have five matches to come before the break for the World Cup.

READ MORE: Graham Potter outlines Chelsea January transfer window expectations following Blues appointments

Kepa Arrizabalaga is sure to start in goal, with Potter having few options but to start Trevoh Chalobah and Thiago SIlva in the heart of defence. Whether Chelsea utilise a third central defender will be key to the team that Potter chooses, but they are likely to set up with some flexibility. Ben Chilwell could return on the left side of the backline, while Cesar Azpilicueta could take a role on the right and find some support from the likes of Christian Pulisic or Conor Gallagher with Leandro Trossard likely to be on Brighton's right flank.

Mateo Kovacic is fit but has fatigue and is still managing a knee issue, so the Blues may once again look to rest the Croatian with Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Jorginho making up the midfield. The Italian veteran may be the one to be rested having started three matches in a row.

Mason Mount is sure to return to the starting XI after being placed on the bench for the first time under Potter against Red Bull Salzburg, while Pulisic and Kai Havertz may have done enough to earn another start in the team with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang leading the frontline.

That would leave Raheem Sterling on the bench after consecutive starts, but the summer signing has not netted in the Premier League since August. That is not something Potter is concerned about however.

He said: "Raheem's quality speaks for itself. Sometimes the team doesn't function as well and the forwards can suffer for that. Rather than zoom into the individual, I always say it's better for me to think about the team, how we can attack better, how we can create more space for Raheem, more chances. It's not just him, it's across the team we can do better."

Chelsea XI: Kepa; Azpilicueta, Chalobah, Silva, Chilwell; Jorginho, Loftus-Cheek, Pulisic, Mount, Havertz, Aubameyang.

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