Graham Potter offers an update on Kovacic and Koulibaly injury situation along with team news
Speaking in the press conference ahead of the next game against Brighton and Hove Albion (h/t Football.London), Chelsea boss Graham Potter offered an update on the injury situation of Kalidou Koulibaly and Mateo Kovacic, along with other team news.
After the game against RB Salzburg, Potter revealed that Kovacic had to be subbed off because of a calf issue. But the manager allays any fear of that injury making the player miss this game.
Koulibaly, on the other hand, who has missed the last two games, has an outside chance to feature in the upcoming Champions League encounter against Dinamo Zagreb on Wednesday. He is not touted to be in the squad for the Brighton game though.
Here’s what Potter said regarding overall team news and updates on the two players mentioned above (h/t Football.London):
“Pretty much the same as we were against Salzburg. Mateo no problem with his calf, just more fatigue. Koulibaly, game came too soon, outside chance for Wednesday but not for tomorrow.”
The schedule is tough and demanding for another two weeks till the World Cup break starts. It has been like that since the start of this month. So the manager cannot risk any player, chiefly because missing even a week’s action means you are not part of the squad for three games.
Hence, even if Kovacic is not injured but feeling fatigued, there could be a situation where he starts from the bench and comes on when required. He is a key player in this team, and with a tough game against league leaders Arsenal coming next weekend, it would be sensible to make sure that he is 100% for that.
The advantage of winning the Champions League group with a game in hand is that Potter can rest a bunch of key players for the Wednesday game against Zagreb. What that will do is keep the players fresh for the key game against the Gunners.
For now, though, the focus is all on the Brighton encounter away at the Amex Stadium. It is the first time Potter will return to the stadium since leaving the Seagulls last month. Expect an emotional atmosphere.
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Given how good Brighton were in the defeat against Manchester City, they are more than capable of causing problems for Chelsea. Hence, the Blues have to be at their best to get anything from the game.