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Chelsea’s next attempt to end their slump comes on Thursday as they make the short trip over to Fulham for some Premier League action.
Sections of the Blues supporters turned mutinous as Graham Potter’s side fell to their sixth defeat in their last nine games against Manchester City at the weekend, and another poor result against their local rivals, who are already ahead in the table, could tip things over the edge.
With an unrelenting injury crisis to contend with, here’s the lineup Chelsea could opt for.
GK: Kepa Arrizabalaga – With Edouard Mendy now out with a broken finger, Kepa’s place remains under no threat.
RB: Cesar Azpilicueta – As the only natural right-back available these days, Azpilicueta will likely start once again. Almost as if a new signing is needed.
CB: Thiago Silva – The veteran defender sat out the cup game against City to preserve his legs for this one.
CB: Trevoh Chalobah – Kalidou Koulibaly is probably in need of a rest, and although Bashir Humphreys impressed in the cup, it’s Chalobah who will likely start here. Benoit Badiashile may have to wait a little longer for his debut.
LB: Marc Cucurella – Young Lewis Hall, who isn’t even a left-back, will return to the bench here in place of Cucurella, who is yet to really impress fans.
DM: Denis Zakaria – Zakaria is Chelsea’s best player right now and it’s not even close. How we’ve found ourselves here, when his loan was overwhelmingly seen as a failure just a few months ago, is testament to his attitude.
CM: Carney Chukwuemeka – With Jorginho apparently doing his best to wind up the entire fanbase against City, Potter needs to turn to Chukwuemeka, who has been one of the standout performers over the past few games.
CM: Mateo Kovacic – Kovacic was outstanding in the first game against City but struggled horribly last time out, as did everyone else.
RW: Hakim Ziyech – With Omari Hutchinson yet to make his full breakthrough, expect Ziyech to retain his starting spot out wide.
ST: Kai Havertz – Starting purely because of the lack of genuine competition, Havertz’s poor performances are being increasingly scrutinised by a fan base which has almost entirely turned on him.
LW: Mason Mount – Really off his game last time out (again, as was everyone), Mount may have to start once again out of necessity.
