Felix, Zakaria And Silva To Start, Havertz And Aubameyang On The Bench: Chelsea’s Predicted XI To Play Fulham

Chelsea manager Graham Potter is under huge pressure heading into tonight’s game against Fulham at Craven Cottage.

Injuries have been a major contributing factor to some poor recent results but the 4-0 defeat to Manchester City in the FA Cup was unacceptable and supporters are running out of patience.

The Blues will be facing an in-form team this evening, with Fulham having won four in a row since the return of domestic football after the World Cup. This won’t be an easy match by any stretch of the imagination.

Press the next page as we predict Chelsea’s starting eleven to face the Cottagers.

GK – Kepa Arrizabalaga

With Edouard Mendy having undergone surgery on a fractured finger, Kepa has a great opportunity to stake his claim to become the permanent number one.

The Spaniard still looks hesitant in certain situations, but he wasn’t to blame for any of the goals against City last weekend.

RB – Cesar Azpilicueta

Trevoh Chalobah looked very uncomfortable playing at fullback versus City and if he does start another match in the coming weeks, it is more likely to come at centre-half.

Azpilicueta remains the only fit right-back in the squad, with Reece James still on the treatment table. The club need to be scouring the market to bring in another option before the transfer window closes.

CB – Kalidou Koulibaly

The Senegalese international was the worst performer in an inexperienced backline during the humbling defeat at the Etihad last Sunday.

Potter would have been hoping that Koulibaly could lead by example but he continues to make rash decisions, epitomised by his foul for the second penalty. Chalobah could well be selected ahead of him at Craven Cottage but the Senegalese international may get one final chance.

CB – Thiago Silva

The lack of organisation at the back without the Brazilian is clear for all to see but, at 38 years of age, he can’t play every few days so he had to be rested at some point.

Silva should be back and raring to go at Craven Cottage, and if Chelsea are to get a result, he will play a key role.

LB – Marc Cucurella

The Spaniard’s defending in the second half of the league defeat to City last week was embarrassing; especially for a player who cost £62m.

Potter may even be tempted to keep Lewis Hall in the starting lineup to face Fulham but Cucurella could be offered a chance to put in an improved performance.

CM – Mateo Kovacic

The fact that he was subbed at halftime at the Etihad kind of says it all. Potter needs his senior players to step up but the Croatian was well off the pace.

It is all the more surprising considering Kovacic is usually the one to get on the ball and try things if others are not performing. Due to the lack of options in midfield, he may get another opportunity tonight.

CM – Jorginho

Like Kovacic, the Italian’s display was pretty abject against City. There was one moment where, under no pressure whatsoever, he passed the ball out straight for a corner.

Jorginho’s performance was enough for him to be dropped but who else can the Blues play as a holding midfielder? Carney Chukwuemeka and Conor Gallagher are decent players but they can’t dictate play from deep-lying positions.

CM – Denis Zakaria

The Swiss international has been one of the few bright spots since the return of the Premier League after the World Cup.

After finding it hard to get a look-in before Christmas, Zakaria has clearly worked hard to get into shape and he seems determined to prove himself at Stamford Bridge.

RW – Hakim Ziyech

The Moroccan was pretty anonymous at the Etihad, with his only notable moment coming when he was seemingly tripped after being put through on goal.

Ziyech needs to be given more of the ball so he can use his wand of a left foot to deliver balls into the box. Hopefully, he will get more joy at Craven Cottage.

ST- Joao Felix

Considering Kai Havertz was so poor last weekend, and Pierre Emerick Aubameyang has just returned from a back injury, Potter has very little to lose by picking the Portuguese international to start just days after arriving on loan.

Felix does prefer to start in deeper positions so there is also the possibility that Potter will opt to use him as a number 10, with someone like Aubameyang ahead of him.

LW – Mason Mount

With Christian Pulisic and Raheem Sterling both sidelined, there aren’t many other options for the left-wing role, so Mount may be given the nod to start there.

Whether he deserves his place in the eleven is another matter, but Potter doesn’t really have much choice due to the injury situation.