Graham Potter takes cost of probably the most vital fixture of his Chelsea reign to date on Tuesday evening because the Blues play host to Borussia Dortmund with a spot within the Champions League quarter-finals on the road.
The two sides have been separated by Karim Adeyemi’s magnificent solo strike within the reverse fixture, which means the goal-shy Blues have a deficit to make up in the event that they’re to progress into the final eight.
Dortmund have continued to shine in 2023 they usually prolonged their successful run to 10 video games on Friday evening as they beat RB Leipzig 2-1. Chelsea, too, grabbed a much-needed victory within the build-up to this European conflict, however they have been removed from convincing of their slender house overcome Leeds.
There have been mitigating elements in Potter’s dire managerial stint up up to now, together with accidents, and the health of star right-back Reece James has been a serious subject. He was out of motion once more on the weekend, and here is the most recent on his standing for Tuesday’s second leg.
The Blues will likely be with out Mason Mount on Tuesday evening after he picked up his third yellow card of the present Champions League marketing campaign within the first leg.
Chelsea have a number of gamers on two bookings, together with Reece James, Kalidou Koulibaly, and Conor Gallagher.
N’Golo Kante is but to characteristic underneath Potter after struggling a hamstring harm towards Tottenham again in August. The Frenchman is edging nearer to his return, however he is not more likely to be match for Tuesday’s sport.
Cesar Azpilicueta, who sustained a concussion within the defeat to Southampton, is not able to return to first-team motion simply but, whereas Thiago Silva is sidelined till April with a knee harm. Thus, Koulibaly will associate Wesley Fofana in defence with Benoit Badiashile absent from Potter’s Champions League squad.
Edouard Mendy is again in coaching (as is Christian Pulisic), however Kepa Arrizabalaga will proceed between the sticks for Dortmund’s go to.
It’s been a stop-start marketing campaign for Reece James to date, and he is struggled to keep up any consistency since getting back from a long-term absence after Christmas.
A good hamstring dominated him out of Saturday’s 1-0 victory over Leeds with Tuesday’s fixture in thoughts. The right-back has since returned to coaching and is predicted to be accessible for the all-important second leg.
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