Date: 5th October 2022 at 8:05am
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Chelsea host Serie A champions AC Milan at Stamford Bridge tonight in what is sure to be an intense and tactically fascinating Champions League clash.

Taking charge of his third game at the club, Blues manager Graham Potter will be hoping that his side can deliver, having collected just one point in the group so far.

Injury News

In terms of injury news, Chelsea have been handed a doubt over two first-team players.

Kai Havertz and Jorginho are the two in question, with the pair feeling discomfort after the Crystal Palace game, although it is worth noting that both trained on Tuesday.

Issuing an update to reporters in his pre-match press conference on Tuesday afternoon, Potter stated that Edouard Mendy will be in the matchday squad, while N’Golo Kante is not ready to feature but is getting closer to a return, as per football.london.

There was no mention of Marc Cucurella by the manager, although he was spotted in training at Cobham on Tuesday.

Predicted XI

That brings us onto the predicted line-up to face Group E leaders Milan.

4-4-2

Arrizabalaga
James, Fofana, Silva, Chilwell
Havertz, Loftus-Cheek, Kovacic, Mount
Sterling, Aubameyang

We’re expecting a very similar line-up to the one which featured in the 2-1 victory against Crystal Palace on Saturday. The only notable change is Jorginho, who will sit this one out having suffered discomfort in the clash at Selhurst Park.

Coming in to take the place of the man who Havertz dubbed “one of the best players” he has had as a team-mate, £150k-per-week Ruben Loftus-Cheek – who Cesar Azpilicueta hailed as “very important” to Chelsea – enters the fray, echoing the substitution from the weekend win over the Eagles.

Other than that, Havertz is expected to keep his place despite having injury concerns of his own, in what will likely be a flexible 4-4-2 shape, with the possible variation of a 4-2-2-2.

It’s a big game for Chelsea, and if they can win with a dominant performance against a Milan side who have hardly put a foot wrong this season, then it should serve as a massive boost in confidence.

 

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