Chelsea face West Ham in the early Saturday kickoff, at the London Stadium. CFC defeated the Hammers in the reverse fixture, at Stamford Bridge, in a controversial 2-1 win for the blues. Many things have changed since that fixture, including the departure of former Chelsea gaffer, Thomas Tuchel, and with new faces coming in to represent the blue side of London.
West Ham are currently in a relegation scrap as they sit 17th, one place above the drop. Given that they had been vying for the European spots for the previous two seasons, this is a very disappointing season by their standards.
This is the perfect opportunity for Chelsea manager, Graham Potter, to start to get the blues rolling before the UCL resumes. Last time out, Chelsea drew at home against fellow neighbors, Fulham in a very lackluster draw last Friday night. Many changes needs to be addressed which includes the team-sheet. Here are my three players, Potter, needs to drop ahead of the London derby.
3 Chelsea players Graham Potter must drop vs West Ham
Joao Felix in for Mason Mount
The Portuguese international is back in contention for selection. After seeing a straight red against Fulham, at the Craven Cottage, the attacking mid is eager to get the most out of his remaining loan, as Chelsea now sit, 9th in the Premier League table.
Mason Mount has been sub-par, to say the less and may need to make way for the loanee. The two time Chelsea player of the season needs some time to regain his confidence as contract negotiations are still pending.
Going back to the 4-2-3-1 formation with Joao Felix in behind a striker will certainly get the best out of the 23 year old. In the game against Fulham last week, Potter gone with a 4-3-3, with a midfield three consisting of, Enzo Fernandez, as the deepest of the three, Mount and Conor Gallagher in front of him to round it up.
Both Mount and Gallagher struggled with their positioning which caused the blues problems trying to progress up the pitch. I’m going to specifically pin-point Mount, because they’re certain situations where he was occupying Mykhaylo Mudryk’s space on the left flank. The Ukrainian hasn’t preformed to his price tag as a result. This is where I’ll impose the dropping of the Englishman.
Noni Madueke in for Hakim Ziyech
In my previous article, I touched upon the Moroccan’s failed loan move to PSG. ‘The playmaker’ is certainly not happy at the club for, ‘allegedly,’ sabotaging his six month move to the French capital. With the match against Fulham, at the Bridge, in a few days’ time, many supporters and neutrals believed Ziyech wouldn’t be in the squad, let alone in the starting xi. Of course to everyone’s surprise, Hakim Ziyech is on the team-sheet.
The Moroccan international was in decent form, prior to the deadline day event, and this being his first below average performance since pre-World Cup 2022. He may also need some time to re-organize himself and ease him back in the future.
So in comes, former Tottenham academy boy, Noni Madueke, to take the RW spot. The Englishman showed a glimpse of promise in his cameo, and debut against Fulham last week. Very slick, and not afraid to take on his man, which is what all Chelsea fans were asking for some time. The former PSV man is hoping to secure his first start for the blues.
David Datro Fofana in for Kai Havertz
Just like Mount, Kai Havertz is certainly not in fine form, which is starting to raise concern to many. The former club record signing has been with the blues, for what would be three years and are yet to see a massive improvement. The German international is currently being utilized as the club’s #9, including with the national team. He did however score that famous goal in Porto which to some CFC faithful, repaid his transfer.
Since then, Havertz just hasn’t shown the potential we all thought he could reach. Nothing changed since the World Cup break, and something just needs to be changed. With rumors that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is in talks with a move out from the London club, ‘Datro’ Fofana is the man, in my opinion, Graham Potter should look towards. Another bright spot from the disappointing draw last week, Fofana gives the blues another dimension with his pace and clever movements. This is his time to show what he can do.
Can the blues finally string together some wins?