4 players Graham Potter could drop from Chelsea starting XI against Dinamo Zagreb | UEFA Champions League 2022
Chelsea will welcome Croatian side Dinamo Zagreb on Thursday, November 3, in what will be the Blues' last game in Group E of the UEFA Champions League this season.
Having already qualified and also secured top spot in their group, the game against Dinamo Zagreb will be for mere formalities.
However, Chelsea head coach Graham Potter will be expecting a reaction from his team, following a shambolic performance against Brighton over the weekend. The Blues were thorned apart by a relatively impressive Brighton side at the Amex Stadium, courtesy of a 4-1 scoreline.
Defeat this afternoon.
@WhaleFinApp | #BhaChe https://t.co/8Yzxs1ch98
As such, a couple of players who started the disappointing game over the weekend could be dropped from the starting XI against Dinamo Zagreb.
Without further ado, this article will take a look at four such players who could be dropped to the bench by Potter.
#4 Ruben Loftus-Cheek
The English midfielder was among a couple of Chelsea players who had a disappointing performance against Brighton over the weekend.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek started in a midfield pivot alongside Mateo Kovacic, but the duo were largely overrun by Brighton players.
2-0 Brighton.
OWN GOAL LOFTUS CHEEK! https://t.co/JENOnUqWFB
He was also guilty of scoring an own goal for the Blues in the 14th minute, with Brighton going 2-0 up from a well-taken corner.
#3 Marc Cucurella
The Spanish defender has looked less convincing for Chelsea since his big-money summer transfer from Premier League club Brighton.
Despite having a decent start to life in West London, Marc Cucurella's form has gradually reduced as he looks less confident in defense.
The 24-year-old was greatly exposed by Brighton over the weekend, where he started in the right-centre-back position.
Ex Aston Villa & @talkSPORT pundit Gabriel Agbonlahor has not been impressed by Marc Cucurella. https://t.co/sG0HHkByhx
He could be dropped by Potter from the starting XI against Dinamo Zagreb, as Kalidou Koulibaly is reportedly back in training. The Senegalese defender has been out with a minor injury since playing against Brentford in the Premier League.
#2 Kepa Arrizabalaga
The Spanish shot-stopper was handed a big blow by Brighton over the weekend, who dented his decent run of form in goal for Chelsea.
Kepa Arrizabalaga conceded three goals during the first 45 minutes of the Blues' Premier League encounter at the Amex Stadium.
He was surprisingly subbed off at half-time by Potter, with Edouard Mendy coming on to take his place for the second part of the encounter. The substitution summed up Kepa's poor showing against Brighton.
Prior to the heavy league defeat over the weekend, the world's most-expensive goalkeeper kept five clean sheets in his last seven appearances.
Kepaβs Premier League save percentage this season of 91.3% is 12.6% ahead of any other goalkeeperβ¦ π€― https://t.co/ocLRSePUeS
Kepa could be dropped to the bench against Dinamo Zagreb, with Mendy possibly getting his first start for Chelsea since September.
#1 Raheem Sterling
Another player Potter could drop ahead of the Blues' last UEFA Champions League group stage game is Raheem Sterling.
The English forward hasn't been at his best in recent games for the West London club, despite a decent start to the ongoing season.
Many fans may argue that Sterling's poor form could be linked to him being played out of position by Potter, notably at wing-back. However, he tends to look clumsy and short of ideas in attack on some occasions.
Pat Nevin feels that Raheem Sterling form is a concern. https://t.co/V9efSxtqew
The 27-year-old could possibly be dropped from the starting XI against Zagreb by Potter as a reaction to his poor showing against Brighton over the weekend.