By Betsefy
Chelsea begin life without Thomas Tuchel in the dugout on Saturday lunchtime, with Fulham lying in wait at Craven Cottage for the latest edition of the West London derby.
The German lost his job after his 100th game in charge ended in defeat to Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League, and confirmation of Graham Potter‘s appointment is expected before the weekend.
The Brighton & Hove Albion boss will likely take a backseat for this one as the Blues’ interim staff take charge, and it therefore remains to be seen which system will be adopted by those in blue.
Only N’Golo Kante (thigh) should be missing for the visitors, who will likely recall Edouard Mendy and Thiago Silva to the backline in place of Kepa Arrizabalaga and Cesar Azpilicueta.
Wesley Fofana and Kalidou Koulibaly will expect to hold their places if the three-man defence lives another day, while Marc Cucurella ought to be in with a shout of demoting Ben Chilwell to the bench.
With an abundance of midfield options to choose from, Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic will hope to pair up as Denis Zakaria and Carney Chukwuemeka are forced to wait patiently for their opportunities.
Mason Mount has not covered himself in glory so far this season, but the England international may be preferred to Kai Havertz alongside Raheem Sterling and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
The latter’s debut in midweek lasted all of 59 minutes, but the ex-Arsenal man should hold his place in the XI over Armando Broja, who recently signed a new six-year deal at the club.
Chelsea possible starting lineup: Mendy; Fofana, Silva, Koulibaly; James, Jorginho, Kovacic, Cucurella; Mount, Aubameyang, Sterling
