Chelsea’s new look: A breakdown of the squad after Todd Boehly’s January transfer window spending spree
After a very active January transfer window, Graham Potter will have to make some extremely difficult decisions for the remainder of the 2022/23 campaign.
Chelsea have already signed six players this month, with just a few days remaining until the transfer window closes, and a seventh deal is very close to being finalized.
As reported onearlier, the Blues and Lyon have agreed to the sale of right-back Malo Gusto.
After a week of insisting the 19-year-old was not for sale, Lyon has conceded. Chelsea and the French club reached an agreement whereby Chelsea will pay €30 million (£26.3 million) for Gusto’s services, but he will remain at the Stadium Groupama for the remainder of the season.
The French right-back will not be available to Chelsea until next season, which is somewhat disappointing.
However, Chelsea values Gusto so highly that they would rather wait to use him for the remainder of the season than sign another right-back.
Stamford Bridge believes Gusto has the potential to become a world-class fullback; therefore, he is worth the wait.
Six additional signings, however, will be available for the remainder of the season.
Since signing earlier this month, Potter has utilized David Datto Fofana, Benoit Badiashile, Joao Felix, and Mykhailo Mudryk, but Andrey Santos and Noni Madueke have yet to make their debuts.
Bar Felix, who is serving the final game of a three-match suspension for receiving a red card on his debut against Fulham earlier this month, should be available for Friday’s home match against the Cottagers.
Therefore, SportsDias predicts which team Potter will select for Chelsea’s 21st Premier League game of the season.
Goalkeepers: Kepa Arrizabalaga, Marcus Bettinelli
Edouard Mendy had surgery on a fractured finger he sustained during training earlier this month.
There is no official timeline for the 30-year-old goalkeeper’s return to action, but he is currently undergoing rehabilitation.
Defenders: Cesar Azpilicueta, Kalidou Koulibaly, Benoit Badiashile, Thiago Silva, Marc Cucurella, Ben Chilwell, Reece James
Chilwell is expected to be in the squad after recovering from a hamstring injury he sustained against Dinamo Zagreb in November.
Similarly, James is anticipated to return to action in some capacity after suffering an injury against Bournemouth late last month.
Midfielders: Mateo Kovacic, Conor Gallagher, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Carney Chukwuemeka
N’Golo Kante remains sidelined and is not expected to return until the end of February or even the beginning of March.
Chelsea could still sign a central midfielder before the transfer window closes on Tuesday, but the aforementioned players could be selected by Potter for Fulham’s 20-man squad.
Attackers: Noni Madueke, Mykhailo Mudryk, Kai Havertz, Hakim Ziyech, Mason Mount, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, David Datro Fofana
Madueke is expected to make his debut for Chelsea after joining for approximately £35 million from PSV Eindhoven on January 20.
Mudryk, whose 35-minute substitute appearance at Anfield last weekend was so impressive, is expected to play again and could even make his debut for his new club.
In recent days, Raheem Sterling has made progress in his recovery from a hamstring injury, but he is still performing individual training, so he will not play. Christian Pulisic, who suffered a medial collateral ligament injury against Manchester City in the Premier League, remains sidelined.
Armando Broja’s season is over due to a severe knee ligament injury. Fofana, a recent acquisition, will likely be in the squad and could be called upon by Potter.
Chelsea’s new look: A breakdown of the squad after Todd Boehly’s January transfer window spending spree
