By Betsefy
Graham Potter will select his first Chelsea starting XI against Red Bull Salzburg on Wednesday after being appointed as the Blues’ new manager last week.
The former Brighton & Hove Albion boss has replaced Thomas Tuchel, who was sacked following their 1-0 defeat to Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League last week.
Potter generally favoured a three-man defence during his three years on the south coast, and he is likely to stick with that formation for the time being given that it is one which Tuchel almost exclusively used during his time at Chelsea, too.
Kepa Arrizabalaga started last week’s defeat in Croatia but Potter may opt to choose his strongest possible XI so Edouard Mendy could get the nod in goal here, with Wesley Fofana, Thiago Silva and Kalidou Koulibaly forming a strong three-man defence in front of him.
That would mean Reece James starting in his preferred wing-back role, with Ben Chilwell and Marc Cucurella fighting for a spot on the opposite flank. The latter may win that particular duel given that Potter clearly rates the player having signed him for Brighton before selling him to Chelsea for a significant profit during the summer.
In midfield, Jorginho could partner Matteo Kovacic to help with Potter’s preferred ball retention style, with Mason Mount, Raheem Sterling and Kai Havertz forming a fluid front three in front of them.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Armando Broja do provide options as a more genuine number nine, but the 47-year-old liked sharp movement and interplay during his time at Brighton, and the aforementioned trio could fit the bill in that regard for the time being.
N’Golo Kante remains ruled out with a hamstring injury, which is likely to keep the key midfielder out of action until after the international break.
Chelsea possible starting lineup: Mendy; Fofana, Silva, Koulibaly; James, Jorginho, Kovacic, Cucurella; Mount, Havertz, Sterling
