Chelsea manager Graham Potter has released an update on the fitness of Mateo Kovacic and Kalidou Koulibaly ahead of their Premier League match against Brighton & Hove Albion.
Potter had come on for Kovacic in the 68th minute of their Champions League game against RB Salzburg after the Croatian suffered a calf problem. In the press conference prior to the match against Salzburg, Potter revealed that Kovacic will be available for his selection against Brighton.
He revealed that Kovacic does not have a calf injury and it is more fatigue. Potter also provided an update on Koulibaly. The defender has missed Chelsea’s last two games with a knee problem.
Potter ruled the 31-year-old out of his match against Brighton and said he has an outside chance to play Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League next week.
Graham Potter posts an update on the fitness of Mateo Kovacic and Kalidou Koulibaly ahead of Chelsea vs Brighton
“Pretty much the same as we were against Salzburg,” Potter said at the pre-match news conference on Friday. “Mateo hasn’t really had any problems with his calf, more fatigue.
“For Koulibaly this game has come too soon. It’s an outside opportunity for Wednesday. [against Dinamo Zagreb] but not for tomorrow.
Meanwhile, Chelsea enter the game against Potter’s former team Brighton after securing a 2-1 victory over RB Salzburg in the Champions League. It was two stunners from Kovacic and Kai Havertz that helped Chelsea to a win and three points.
Against Salzburg, Chelsea took the lead through Kovacic in the 23rd minute of the game. Salzburg restored parity in the 49th minute through Junior Adamu. Havertz then sealed the win for Chelsea, scoring in the 64th minute of the match.
The win also sealed Chelsea a place in the Champions League round of 16. The Stamford Bridge side top Group E with 10 points from five games.
Meanwhile, Chelsea sit fifth in the Premier League points table with 21 points from 11 games. The Blues have recorded six wins, three draws and two defeats in the league so far this season.
Meanwhile, their next game against Brighton will be Potter’s first game against his previous team since he left them earlier this season.
Chelsea are unbeaten in all competitions since Potter took over the club. They will aim to continue that run and get the best out of Brighton, who have not secured a win since Potter left the club.
