Chelsea were without Raheem Sterling, Christian Pulisic, and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang for their FA Cup third-round defeat to Manchester City at the Etihad.
Raheem Sterling picked a knock in Chelsea’s Premier League game with Manchester City at Stamford Bridge. He was substituted in after just 5 minutes into the game. Christian Pulisic was also taken off in the 22nd minute after colliding with John Stones.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang replaced Raheem Sterling in the game against Manchester City but was sub off in the 68th minute.
Explaining the reason for their absence against Manchester City in the FA Cup: “Christian just opened up his knee in the game the other day, we are still sort of analyzing it, but it is going to be weeks. Raheem just had an action in the first minute of the game, a backheel, and he felt something in his hamstring, and we are analyzing it and Aubameyang had a tight back and was not able to travel.”
Meanwhile, Graham Potter revealed that Chelsea players are giving their best despite the poor result.
Asked if the senior players are playing out their best, he replied: “Yes. This opponent is probably the worst opponent you can play when things aren’t going very well because they can make it look like you’re not running like you’re not trying. After all, their positional structure is brilliant, they use the full width of the pitch, they keep the ball, and make it difficult for you to put any pressure on them.
“I am working with the players; I don’t get any sense of people with a poor attitude. Everyone wants to try to do better. I think there is support in the dressing room. It is just that we are going through a bad moment and sometimes when you have these moments you need somebody or something to blame, I understand where that question comes from. But at the same time, we have to stick together and keep working.”
Former Chelsea forward Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink claims Kai Havertz is” half the player he was last season.”
The formal Dutch forward said on Betway: “I don’t know Mudryk too well, but apparently, he’s an amazing player.
“I’m not sure how much truth there is that Chelsea wants to hijack any deal for him, but they do need more creativity and a bigger threat going forward.
“Christian Pulisic has tried his best recently but Chelsea aren’t creating enough. Kai Havertz is half of the player that he was last year so they need more players who can come into the team and make a difference straight away.”