Chelsea predicted XI vs RB Salzburg: 3-4-1-2 for Graham Potter?

1 of 4

Chelsea’s flag flaps in the wind prior to the UEFA Champions League Quarter-final first leg match vs. Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images) /

Chelsea will welcome RB Salzburg to Stamford Bridge on Wednesday in what will be a very interesting match.

The Blues currently sit bottom of the Champions League Group E after losing their first game. This game serves as a must-win game, to lay down a marker that what happened against Dynamo Zagreb was a blip and nothing more. More importantly, it would serve as Graham Potter’s first test as CFC manager. Potter will be under a lot of scrutiny from fans and rivals alike, especially with the manner in which Thomas Tuchel was sacked. Here’s who we think starts for The Blues in this one:

Kepa Arrizabalaga (No. 1) Goalkeeper, Spain
The Spaniard starts again because Edouard Mendy is probably still injured. Talks about a new contract for Mendy have been met with mixed reactions by the fans. Mendy is said to have turned down a contract offer already, which would not be surprising if the offer is close to the one he’s currently on, considering that he’s currently one of Chelsea’s lowest-paid players. Arrizabalaga, though, has an opportunity to try and impress the new manager now that he has the chance.

Kalidou Koulibaly (No. 26) Left centerback, Senegal
Koulibaly will play against Salzburg. Potter will still be accessing the squad, but for now, he’s going to generally play those who have been playing. Koulibaly should know that he’s being accessed freshly by Potter so he cannot afford to make any of the mistakes he’s been making up until this point.

Home/Champions League