Chelsea: Graham Potter likely to go with unorthodox starting XI vs Bournemouth

• Chelsea are still struggling with injuries as their clash against Bournemouth draws closer
• The major positive news is the return of Reece James from injury
• However, the likes of Armando Broja, N’golo Kante and Ben Chilwell are still out for the long term

The Premier League is back and Chelsea are still struggling with injury crises, meaning Graham Potter may have to resort to a strange formation to cope with a string of matches on the horizon.

Talented right-back Reece James is back in action in some positive news for the Blues, with his return coming months after suffering an injury during the champions league game against AC Milan.

Potter recently confirmed James, who missed the World Cup for England, is back in full training and is eligible for selection.

However, that might be where the positive news ends for Chelsea as the club prepares for the return of competitive football. Their first game will be against Bournemouth on December 27.

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Chelsea’s growing injury list

More recently, Wesley Fofana was sent back to the sidelines after picking up a fresh injury in the behind-closed-doors friendly against Brentford.

It is not as bad as the initial injury, however, as he is set to be out for at least two more weeks, as per the club’s website.

Midfielder N’golo Kante is out for the season, as is forward Armando Broja; while Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Ben Chilwell are also recovering from different injuries.

Regarding Matteo Kovacic and Hakim Ziyech, Graham Potter cannot rely on the pair for the Bournemouth clash as they are yet to return from their break after they both reached the World Cup semis in Qatar.

How can Chelsea line up vs Bournemouth?

With all this in mind, it will be interesting to see how Potter sets up his team on Tuesday.

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He will likely go with an unorthodox formation, as he is devoid of regular starters.

Kepa, who has overthrown Edouard Mendy in recent weeks, is likely to be given the nod in goal.

The Chelsea boss is likely to go with a large number of defenders, especially with the return of James, so that he can have two play as wingbacks.

This will likely leave a window of opportunity for Trevoh Chalobah at the heart of defence, while Marc Cucurella will play as left wingback.

In attack, Chelsea’s only recognized fit striker Pierre Emerick Aubameyang will likely get the nod, and he might be supported by Raheem Sterling and Kai Havertz in a front-three set up.

Chelsea land Ivorian striker

Elsewhere, Sports Brief reported on how Chelsea are on the verge of acquiring David Datro Fofana.

The 20-year-old shot to prominence in 2022 after a sensational campaign that saw him score 22 goals in 39 appearances

The Ivory Coast international had his medical in London on Thursday, December 22, ahead of his proposed move, according to reports.