Chelsea take on Fulham at Craven Cottage on Thursday night and will look to get back to winning ways in the Premier League. However, the Blues will have to do something they are yet to do and beat a team who currently sit above them in the table to be successful
After a nine-match unbeaten run to begin Graham Potter's tenure, Chelsea have stumbled and sit 10th in the table. They have been busy in the transfer market however with the additions of David Datro Fofana, Benoit Badiashile and Joao Felix already in January, and more business still expected.
With nine injuries to contend with going into the next Premier League fixture, perhaps one of the trio could earn their first start. Yet, there was a glimmer of hope amongst the news of significant injuries to Christian Pulisic and Raheem Sterling, with the likes of Ben Chilwell and Ruben Loftus-Cheek making good progress and Reece James making his return to the grass.
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Potter said in his press conference on Wednesday afternoon: "Pierre is fine and he will be in the squad. Christian [Pulisic] is a couple of months, we think. Raheem is less, hopefully less than that.
“They’re making progress. Ruben [Loftus-Cheek] is getting closer, Ben [Chilwell] is getting closer. Reece [James] was out on the grass today, not training with the team but on his own. N’Golo did his first couple of days out training on his own but there is still a long, long way to go. But it felt more positive. To see the guys out there, it gives everyone a lift.”
With that, football.london's Chelsea writers take a look at the team they would select for the west London derby.
Adam Newson
Graham Potter will have to rotate his side once again for tomorrow night’s game, although his options remain hugely limited with ten first-team players currently unavailable for selection. One of those is Edouard Mendy – who underwent surgery on a fractured finger last week – and that will mean Kepa Arrizabalaga continues in goal for Chelsea at Craven Cottage.
Potter should persevere with a back four; the constant chopping and changing of the system did Chelsea few favours prior to the World Cup break. That would mean Cesar Azpilicueta returns to right-back and I’d move Trevoh Chalobah into a centre-back role with Kalidou Koulibaly stepping out of the side. Thiago Silva can then take up his favoured role as the left centre-back and I’d continue with youngster Lewis Hall at left-back.
Denis Zakaria has to come back into the starting XI having only been a substitute against Manchester City in the FA Cup and I would pair him with Mateo Kovacic despite the Croatian struggling on Sunday. Carney Chukwuemeka is deserving of a start and I would use him as a more advanced midfield player.
With Christian Pulisic Raheem Sterling and Armando Broja all ruled out and Joao Felix having had just one training session ahead of the game, Chelsea’s attack lacks depth. One training session isn’t enough to throw Joao Felix into the mix and I don’t think Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is worthy of a start at this moment in time.
So I’d continue with Hakim Ziyech on the right, Kai Havertz through the middle, and Mason Mount from the left. All need to produce big performances, however.
Adam’s XI: Kepa; Azpilicueta, Chalobah, Silva, Hall; Zakaria, Kovacic, Chukwuemeka; Ziyech, Havertz, Mount
Scott Trotter
While Potter's options may be limited due to the volume of injuries his side currently have, Chelsea's new additions may have to settle for a place on the bench. Nevertheless, there is sure to be a number of changes from the latest defeat to Manchester City.
Thiago Silva was rested for the game and will immediately come back in and should be partnered with Trevoh Chalobah. They will be flanked by Cesar Azpilicueta, with little other option on the right, and Lewis Hall may have earned a start ahead of Marc Cucurella.
The influence of Denis Zakaria is unmistakable at the moment and he is probably the first name in the midfield. Mateo Kovacic's mobility may give him the edge over Jorginho, though both struggled in their last outing. Mason Mount did not have a spectacular return from injury but could move back into his favoured position and attempt to find some joy between the lines.
Carney Chukwuemeka deserves a start in the absence of Christian Pulisic and Raheem Sterling and should be in contention regardless. The 19-year-old will offer support to Kai Havertz who could be afforded another opportunity to impress with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang just returning from a back injury.
Scott's XI: Kepa, Azpilicueta, Chalobah, Silva, Hall; Zakaria, Kovacic, Mount, Chukwuemeka, Havertz, Ziyech.
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