Graham Potter has switched to a back three for Chelsea's Premier League game with Leeds United on Saturday afternoon.

With Reece James ruled out with a hamstring issue and Thiago Silva sidelined with a knee injury, Potter had to make changes to his backline.

Instead of sticking with a defensive four, the trio of Wesley Fofana, Kalidou Koulibaly and Benoit Badiashile form the centre of Chelsea's backline.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek will deputise at right wing-back, as he has done in the past, with Mateo Kovacic returning from illness to take his spot in midfield.

Despite making little impact against Tottenham Hotspur last weekend, Raheem Sterling, Joao Felix and Kai Havertz all retain their spots in the final third.

Of the players who started in that London derby, only Hakim Ziyech drops out with no injury involved, while Mykhaylo Mudryk is again only named among the replacements.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is also selected on the substitutes' bench, with Marc Cucurella and David Datro Fofana missing out on a place in the squad for the second match in succession.

Chelsea: Arrizabalaga; Fofana, Koulibaly, Badiashile; Loftus-Cheek, Kovacic, Fernandaz, Chilwell; Sterling, Felix; Havertz

Subs: Bettinelli, Chalobah, Chukwuemeka, Gallagher, Zakaria, Madueke, Mudryk, Ziyech, Aubameyang

Leeds United Meslier; Ayling, Koch, Wober, Firpo; Adams, McKennie; Aaronson, Harrison, Summerville, Rutter

Subs: Robles, Struijk, Kristensen, Gray, Gyabi, Roca, Greenwood, Joseph, Gnonto

Written by
Darren Plant