London Football News

Havertz out, Kovacic starts – expected Chelsea line-up against AC Milan

Chelsea face AC Milan tonight in the second of the two Champions League group matches between the two sides.

And with the Blues having crushed the Italian team 3-0 at Stamford Bridge, boss Graham Potter will surely want to make minimal changes for the return bout at the San Siro.

There will be one enforced change, in defence, with Wesley Fofana ruled out with a knee injury he suffered soon after scoring the opening goal in that win over Milan – his first Chelsea goal.


Potter has options for that right-sided centre-back spot, including Trevoh Chalobah, but is expected to opt for the experience of Cesar Azpilicueta – especially up against the lively Rafael Leão, who had a great battle with Reece James at the Bridge.

James will again be at right wing-back and Potter will no doubt continue with the midfield partnership of Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Mateo Kovacic, which was so effective last time against Milan.

The front three of Raheem Sterling, Mason Mount and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is also likely to remain intact as Chelsea look to replicate the success of their last European outing.

That will mean a much-changed line-up from the weekend league win over Wolves, with Chalobah, Marc Cucurella, Jorginho, Conor Gallagher, Kai Havertz and Christian Pulisic dropping out of the starting line-up.

Expected Chelsea line-up: Kepa; Azpilicueta, Silva, Koulibaly; James, Loftus-Cheek, Kovacic, Chilwell; Sterling, Mount; Aubameyang.




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