Chelsea predicted XI v Fulham: A 3-4-1-2 for Graham Potter?

Kalidou Koulibaly (No. 26) Left centerback, Senegal
It’s not far-fetched to say that Koulibaly probably belongs in the center of a back three, rather than on the side. Silva is Chelsea’s best CB at the moment though he can only play at the center of a back three so Koulibaly would have to adapt at left centerhalf for now.

Thiago Silva (No. 6) Centerback, Brazil
Silva sat out the Zagreb game and you could say that Chelsea missed him. The situation that led to the goal Chelsea conceded was a situation that Silva has faced several times and dealt with very well. However, the goal conceded doesn’t make the case that Silva should have started, as he needed a rest. He would be well rested now and be ready to go against Fulham in another London derby.

Wesley Fofana (No. 33) Right centerback, France
Fofana overall had a very good game against Dinamo Zagreb, which is a place you want to be when a new manager walks through the door. He lost his marker when he let Mislav Orsic run between himself and Koulibaly for the goal Chelsea conceded against Zagreb. Chelsea truly splashed the cash on Fofana and while he looked good in his first game against West Ham United, he also had some shaky moments and he didn’t look great against Zagreb when it counted. Fofana won 3/4 tackles against West Ham and won 7/9 duels, which is impressive, though he completed 0/5 long balls. Against Zagreb, he won 5/7 tackles and won 13/21 duels, including an impressive 7/9 aerial duels.

Reece James (No. 24) Right wingback, England
James recently signed a new contract that will keep him at the club for the next six years. He wasn’t great against West Ham, winning 5/6 duels and completing 2/2 dribbles. He created nothing though and was near useless defensively. His header to Edouard Mendy at the end of the game was under hit and it made the situation more complicated than it should’ve been. He’s still Chelsea’s best player, so he starts.