For Kante, he was out for a month with a hamstring injury and has been plagued by serious injuries in recent years. Meanwhile, Mendy continues to struggle with a minor patellar tendon injury after missing his side’s defeat to Dinamo Zagreb.
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The Blues are likely to follow former manager Thomas Tuchel’s approach and use a 3-4-3 system, giving Potter time to stamp his authority on the team over time. Kepa Arrizabalaga will start in goal, but big decisions will have to be made on whether Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will start after his away games in Croatia. With most of the squad available and no other games until October after several recent Premier League games were postponed, the players will be clamoring to start under Potter. Chelsea predicted line-up (3-4-3): Kepa? Fofana, Thiago Silva, Koulibaly? James, Kovacic, Jorginho, Cucurella? Havertz, Aubameyang, Sterling
