Three Intriguing Line-Up Possibilities for Chelsea vs Borussia Dortmund as Reece James Dilemma Looms Large for Graham Potter
Graham Potter is presented with a significant challenge as he must decide which players to select for Chelsea’s match against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League. There are three potential team configurations, and one of the key decisions involves Reece James’ inclusion in the starting line-up.
On Tuesday night, Chelsea’s manager Graham Potter will face some of his most crucial decisions since taking charge at Stamford Bridge, as he chooses the team to face Borussia Dortmund in the round of 16 of the Champions League. As it’s the second leg of the tie, with the first match ending 1-0 to the German side, the Blues will need to overturn the scoreline to progress to the next stage. However, Potter will face difficulties as he must consider a variety of absences due to injuries and registration restrictions when selecting his team. Despite these challenges, Potter must focus on choosing the best possible team to win the match. Here are three possible formations that Chelsea could use to defeat Borussia Dortmund and advance to the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
The phrase “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” is often used when making decisions about a team, and Potter may apply this logic when selecting his line-up against Dortmund. He could use the positives from Chelsea’s recent win over Leeds United as a basis for his decision-making.
The manager recently utilized a back three formation for the first time in a while, but due to player registration restrictions, Benoit Badiashile will be unable to play. As a result, Trevoh Chalobah may replace him in the starting line-up. The team could consist of Arrizabalaga in goal, with Fofana, Koulibaly, and Chalobah in the backline. In midfield, Loftus-Cheek, Fernandez, Kovacic, and Chilwell may start, while Sterling, Havertz, and Felix could be the front three.
The inclusion of Reece James in the starting line-up is a crucial decision that will be made before the match, as he has sustained an injury. If he can play, the team could remain largely the same, but with James replacing Chalobah.
In the event that Chelsea requires additional attacking options to score a goal, a shift back to a back four could be considered. Mykhailo Mudryk may be included to provide pace and width to the team, allowing Joao Felix to roam freely around the pitch. In this scenario, the starting line-up would feature Arrizabalaga in goal, with Fofana, Koulibaly, James, and Chilwell in the backline. Fernandez and Kovacic would play in midfield, with Sterling, Felix, Mudryk, and Havertz forming the front four.
