CHELSEA welcome managerless Wolves this weekend aiming to make it four games unbeaten under new boss Graham Potter.
The former Brighton boss has been thrown in at the deep end since replacing Thomas Tuchel, with this clash the third of NINE that they will play in October.
An underwhelming 1-1 home draw against RB Salzburg has since been followed by a dramatic late 2-1 victory at Crystal Palace and Wednesday’s 3-0 trouncing of AC Milan.
Potter, 47, will be desperate to continue the momentum against Wolves – who sacked boss Bruno Lage last week.
And the first order of the day will be to overtake his former club, with the Seagulls a point ahead of the Blues in fourth.
Their chances of doing so could be bolstered by the return of Edouard Mendy, with the goalkeeper back on the bench against Milan after a month out.
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The Senegalese stopper could step in for Kepa Arrizabalaga, but he won’t have Wesley Fofana in front of him.
Chelsea’s £70million centre-back sustained a knee injury in mid-week, with Potter updating fans: “Wesley’s knee’s not as bad as we thought after the game, so that’s good because it was a cause for concern at the time, but it will still be a few weeks I think.”
Kalidou Koulibaly and Thiago Silva are set to keep their places, with Trevoh Chalobah to come in if Potter elects to select a back three.
Reece James will be on the right flank, while Marc Cucurella could come back in for Chilwell.
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On Cucurella’s recent illness, Potter said: “He’s fully recovered now, he just needed the time.
“He was on the bench against Milan so he’s had more time, more recovery and he will be involved tomorrow.”
Jorginho could return alongside Mateo Kovacic after Ruben Loftus-Cheek was selected in mid-week.
And Conor Gallagher is also in contention after his brilliant winner against Palace.
Mason Mount could start in midfield or in a more advanced role, depending on Potter’s formation.
He’s still not ready for the weekend but getting closer
Graham Potter on N’Golo Kante
But there will be no return just yet for N’Golo Kante.
On the Frenchman’s fitness, Potter said: “He’s doing more and more integration with the team. He’s still not ready for the weekend but getting closer.
“It is what it is, there’s nothing we can do, the injury happened and now it’s about trying to get him back fit and getting him as ready as we can so he can play for a sustained period.
“He’s been in and out with injuries over a period of time so we have to make sure that when he’s back he’s back for good and strong and enjoying his football. So there’s no frustration from my perspective, it’s just something we have to deal with.”
Kai Havertz could return in a forward position after coming off the bench in mid-week, while Raheem Sterling is a near certainty to start off the left.
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Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is set to keep his place up top after scoring in the Blues’ last two games.
But Hakim Ziyech, Christian Pulisic and Armando Broja will probably have to be content with places on the bench.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
