Chelsea predicted lineup vs Red Bull Salzburg – Champions League

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Graham Potter fell to a draw in his first game as Chelsea head coach when the Blues hosted Red Bull Salzburg earlier this season and he’ll hope to go one better when the two sides butt heads once again on Tuesday.

Since that result, Chelsea secured two massive victories over AC Milan to climb back into top spot in Group E and victory here will guarantee their spot in the next round of the Champions League.

With a number of fitness issues to deal with, here’s how Potter could set up.


Trevoh ChalobahTrevoh Chalobah

Chalobah is impressing under Potter / Marc Atkins/GettyImages

GK: Kepa Arrizabalaga – His long run of clean sheets came to an end last time out against Man Utd but he still retains the faith of Potter.

RB: Cesar Azpilicueta – Losing Reece James is a massive blow to Chelsea and veteran Azpilicueta has a tough job on his hands to match his output.

CB: Trevoh Chalobah – Initially out of the team, Chalobah has been one of the stars of Potter’s reign and his unbeaten run as a Chelsea starter continues.

CB: Thiago Silva – Fitness issues may mean Silva has to start again here, with Kalidou Koulibaly nursing a knee problem. If all goes to play, the Brazilian may not even reappear for the second half.

LB: Ben Chilwell – Marc Cucurella is struggling and was the unfortunate player to be hooked early against Man Utd. It’s hard to see him starting ahead of Chilwell.

CM: Conor Gallagher – Benched against United on his return from an illness, this may be the time to unleash Gallagher once again.

CM: Jorginho – Mateo Kovacic was not supposed to play so many minutes last time out and will likely be forced to rest for this one.

CM: Ruben Loftus-Cheek – Looks like one of the first names on Potter’s team sheet these days, and rightly so. Loftus-Cheek will have caught Gareth Southgate’s eye.

AM: Mason Mount – One of many Chelsea players to underperform at the weekend, Mount remains a core part of Potter’s side.

ST: Kai Havertz – Havertz feels like he’s approaching now-or-never territory at Chelsea. Armando Broja is waiting in the wings.

ST: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – The only attacker who seems to know where the goal is these days, Aubameyang is a must-start.