Graham Potter needs a reliable goal-getter. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
Speaking to the media ahead of the Leeds United game, Chelsea boss Graham Potter has confirmed that Mason Mount will miss the next game while Reece James is an injury doubt.
Potter gave a piece of good news that N’Golo Kante had his first full training session with the team this week, but he will take some time before being in contention for a matchday squad. Edouard Mendy is progressing well too.
But, while that is good news, the prospect of potentially missing James, Mount and Thiago Silva (long-term absence) for a must-win game isn’t a good omen.
Here’s what Potter said when asked about the injury update on the squad (h/t Football.London):
“Thiago will be around that time, not sure exactly. [Edouard] Mendy is making progress. N’Golo [Kante] had his first full session today, but still needs time. Mason [Mount] has had a problem with a lower abdomen area and tomorrow is too soon for him.
“Reece [James] has a tightness in his hamstring; we are assessing him but he’s doubtful for tomorrow as well. Azpi [Cesar Azpilicueta] has made progress but is not through protocols after a head injury like that.”
We know that Mount hasn’t been in the greatest forms this season and his contract situation is dragging, but he is still one of the key players in the Chelsea squad. Only a doctor could confirm this, but a problem with the lower abdomen may not heal in three days, isn’t it? That means the 24-year-old will be a doubt for the crunch Champions League game against Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday.
For James, if there is tightness in the hamstring, it would be worth not taking a risk for the Leeds game and giving him every chance to be fit for Tuesday. This is because if we compare the importance of the next two games, the Dortmund fixture takes more precedence.
But, knowing that Cesar Azpilicueta is still recovering from his head injury, Chelsea may not have a right-back for Saturday. There could be a chance for Trevoh Chalobah to play in that position against Leeds then.
Whatever the team combination will be, it goes without saying that Potter must beat Javi Gracia’s men to generate some momentum ahead of the Dortmund match. Losing on Saturday may well spell the end for him.
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