Chelsea have seven injury issues vs Dinamo as four starlets eye chance

Inside Chelsea's preparations for Dinamo Zagreb match

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

Graham Potter will be forced to cope without seven first-team members for Chelsea’s final Champions League group stage fixture against Dinamo Zagreb on Wednesday. The Blues head coach has been left short of numbers due to a mixture of short-term and lengthy absences, and he may be ready to hand opportunities to youngsters from the club’s academy.

Potter has been rocked by the absence of Kepa Arrizabalaga and Mateo Kovacic after the pair missed training on Tuesday prior to the clash at Stamford Bridge. Arrizabalaga has started every game under Potter since the 47-year-old took charge, although the Spaniard had to be withdrawn at half-time during their heavy 4-1 defeat against Brighton.

Potter confirmed after the game that the Spaniard’s withdrawal was injury-related after suffering from a foot issue, while Kovacic was replaced due to muscle fatigue having played in every single Potter match.

Losing the pair for this game may not be too much of a concern as Chelsea have already secured their passage to the last-16 knockout round as group winners. But beyond their home match against the Croatian side, Potter faces difficult tests against Arsenal and Manchester City before the break for the World Cup.

Arrizabalaga and Kovacic join N’Golo Kante, Wesley Fofana, Reece James and Kalidou Koulibaly in the physio room, with Thiago Silva set to be assessed before Wednesday’s tie.

And it means Potter has been left with limited options at the back, which could force the ex-Brighton coach to revert to a back four after watching his experimental 3-4-3 fail to succeed.

The Chelsea boss is set to shuffle the pack by handing opportunities to fringe players such as Hakim Ziyech and Cesar Azpilicueta, who have been limited in their minutes on the pitch of late.

Armando Broja, due to speak to the media on Tuesday alongside Potter, is likely to start ahead of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang after making his full debut in October.

DON’T MISS
Chelsea could ‘speed up interest’ in Trossard after superb showing
Chelsea wonderkid Hutchinson sends new message to Graham Potter
Man Utd, Chelsea and Liverpool have Brexit boost in Bellingham hunt

The presence of four academy youngsters in training suggests Potter may name some of the club’s most promising talents on the bench for the game with a view to handing out debuts.

Lewis Hall, who impressed on his debut in the FA Cup last season against Chesterfield, was present along with summer signings Zak Sturge and goalkeeper Eddie Beach.

Highly-rated winger Dion Rankine was also included amongst the senior group, but 19-year-old sensation Omari Hutchinson – named as an unused substitute against Brighton – is ineligible due to UEFA ‘B’ list regulations.

Blues starlet Carney Chukwuemeka will be hoping to prove his fitness in time to earn a place in Potter’s 20-man squad after missing the trip to the South Coast at the weekend, and the 19-year-old trained on his own as he continued his path to recovery.

Source: Read Full Article