Graham Potter has confirmed the severity of Kalidou Koulibaly’s injury which rules the defender out of tomorrow night’s game against RB Salzburg, and explained why Marc Cucurella is in contention to start in Austria despite being withdrawn early in recent matches.
The head coach addressed the media deep inside the RB Arena shortly after touching down very near the German border, fielding questions from local and British journalists alike.
The headline injury update regarded Koulibaly, who missed the Man United game at the weekend with what Potter said before kick-off was a knee problem sustained at Brentford. He provided the latest today after it was confirmed the Senegalese had not travelled.
Salzburg vs Chelsea Koulibaly injury update
‘It’s not too serious,’ reported Potter.
‘This game was too soon for him. We’re hoping to get him on the grass Wednesday or Thursday, but he’s obviously not available for tomorrow night.’
Salzburg vs Chelsea Cucurella update
One player who could feature from the off is Cucurella, despite being taken off before half-time against Man United, on the hour at Brentford and during the interval away to Aston Villa.
‘He’s had a couple of issues, a bit of illness, he’s been on antibiotics, but he’s a lot better,’ Potter said of the left-back.
‘Manchester United was purely tactical, a need to get an extra body in midfield. He was the one to come out probably because of all the things that have happened to him. A bit unlucky there.
‘He’s good, he’s ready to fight for the team, he’s ready to play. He’s a resilient character, he’s a really good person.
‘Sometimes when you move clubs it goes really well, and sometimes it can be a little bit of an up-and-down period. Marc’s a little bit up and down but he’s a top player and he will show his quality.’
Loftus-Cheek’s England prospects
Following Potter in speaking to the press was Ruben Loftus-Cheek. The 26-year-old has starred for the Blues in recent weeks, starting five of our past six matches and showing the sort of form and consistency of fitness that earned him a place in Gareth Southgate’s 2018 England World Cup squad.
Some have suggested he could get a recall for the upcoming tournament in Qatar, and Potter was asked about that possibility and what it’s been like working with him.
‘He’s put himself into a situation where he’d be one of the players Gareth would be looking at, an outsider for the squad that’s for sure, but that’s Gareth’s decision.
‘Ruben has really impressed me on and off the pitch,’ continued Potter.
‘He’s a very helpful guy. He wants to learn, wants to improve. He’s clearly benefited from game time, but at the same time the way he trains is really good when he hasn’t played.
‘It’s allowed him to build his fitness up. He clearly needs good fitness levels to carry that big body of his around the pitch. His quality is there, he’s fantastic on the ball, great physicality, great athlete.’
Salzburg vs Chelsea injury list
N’Golo Kante, Reece James and Wesley Fofana are all long-term absentees and join Koulibaly in missing the fixture against RB Salzburg.