Chelsea are back in Champions League action on Tuesday night when they face RB Salzburg at the Red Bull Arena, and Graham Potter has several selection decisions to make.
If Chelsea claim all three points, they will mathematically qualify for the knockout stages without needing to worry about results elsewhere in Group E. Should they draw and AC Milan lose to Dinamo Zagreb, Potter’s side will also secure progression.
Qualification on Tuesday will help ease the amount of minutes players are playing ahead of next week’s final group game against Zagreb. It would allow Potter to rest players next week ahead of their final games before the World Cup break in November.
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But the Chelsea head coach is refusing to focus on the possibilities of resting his players, stating their aim is to win on Tuesday without any other factors influencing their mindset, selection or performance in Austria.
"It would be nice to win and we know the consequences,” said Potter on the chance of being able to rest players against Zagreb if they beat RB Salzburg.
“Our thoughts are to win the match. We have to take the challenge. We're not finished, we haven't got enough points (yet to progress into knockout stages). That's the test.”
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Therefore, it’s likely Potter will name a strong side in midweek to ensure Chelsea get over the line to claim a spot in the last-16 next year.
READ MORE: Confirmed 21-man travelling Chelsea squad for Champions League clash vs RB Salzburg
Predicted Chelsea XI to face RB Salzburg: Kepa, Azpilicueta, Chalobah, Silva, Cucurella, Jorginho, Loftus-Cheek, Mount, Sterling, Aubameyang, Pulisic
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After almost keeping a fifth consecutive clean sheet, Kepa will be itching to continue in goal and remain the preferred choice under Potter for the European affair.
Potter doesn’t have many options at the back with Wesley Fofana, Reece James and now Kalidou Koulibaly unavailable for the game. The call Potter has on his hands is over who will start on the left-hand side.
The Chelsea head coach has deemed Marc Cucurella fit after he was taken off for tactical reasons against Manchester United at the weekend amid recent illness. Ben Chilwell is still returning to full fitness following a long-term injury which Potter is still watching and managing workloads.
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Mateo Kovacic had to be brought on against United in the first half, for Cucurella, which wasn’t Potter’s plan as he manages him through his injury which he has had all season. The Chelsea boss may look to try to rest him on Tuesday night, which could give the chance for Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Jorginho to continue in midfield alongside Mason Mount.
Christian Pulisic will be eager for a chance in attack and while Kai Havertz’s struggles continue, Raheem Sterling and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will both want to keep their places in the side despite drawing blanks on Saturday against Erik ten Hag’s side.
READ MORE: What Ruben Loftus-Cheek said on RB Salzburg, fitness & World Cup chances ahead of Champions League clash
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Topics: Graham Potter, Chelsea, Champions League, Football, Red Bull Salzburg
Matthew Debono