, Zak Sturge and Lewis Hall (both 18) were all involved in training at Cobham on Tuesday with goalkeeper Eddie Beach also drafted in to work with Edouard Mendy and Marcus Bettenelli with Kepa Arrizabalaga absent through injury. Despite losing their opening group game to this week's opponents away in Croatia – a result that cost Thomas Tuchel his job – Chelsea sealed qualification as group winners with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Red Bull Salzburg last week. It sets the Blues up for a dead rubber against Dinamo at Stamford Bridge this week and provides Potter with the chance to rest key stars ahead of a crucial Sunday clash against Premier League leaders Arsenal. While Potter could ring in changes, he has suggested the likes of Rankine, Sturge and Hall will not be involved at this stage. 'It isn't time to just be using young players for the sake of it,' Potter told a press conference. 'I think we have to be competitive and we have to be respectful of the competition, there are still teams looking for points for their own qualification. 'From my perspective, we still have to pick a team that can win the game. We have used a lot of young players and a lot of them have been impressive and I like the character and personality. It has been important in our start at Chelsea to get to know the academy guys.' Mendy is expected to start in goal for the Blues on Wednesday with Kepa not available after being replaced through injury at half-time in the 4-1 defeat at Brighton. 'Kepa won't be available,' Potter said on Tuesday ahead of the game. 'We're looking at days, (so) not for the (Zagreb) game tomorrow.' Kalidou Koulibaly is likely to be available with Mateo Kovacic also in contention after struggles with a calf injury. Armand){kind=link}
NEWS… BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT
Graham Potter has been impressed with Chelsea’s latest batch of youngsters to train with the first-team, but will resist the temptation to use them against Dinamo Zagreb on Wednesday.
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Dion Rankine (20), Zak Sturge and Lewis Hall (both 18) were all involved in training at Cobham on Tuesday with goalkeeper Eddie Beach also drafted in to work with Edouard Mendy and Marcus Bettenelli with Kepa Arrizabalaga absent through injury.
Despite losing their opening group game to this week’s opponents away in Croatia – a result that cost Thomas Tuchel his job – Chelsea sealed qualification as group winners with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Red Bull Salzburg last week.