Chelsea name USMNT star Pulisic & exiled Zakaria to starting line-up vs Bournemouth in major shake-up
Pulisic #Pulisic
© Getty Images Christian Pulisic Chelsea training 2022-23
WHAT HAPPENED? The line-up was not just down to injuries or recovery from international duty. Pulisic got the nod in attack over Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, while Zakaria was chosen to pair with Jorginho over Conor Gallagher. Both players featured at the World Cup and are hoping to prove their worth to Potter.
© Getty Images Christian Pulisic USMNT 2022
THE BIGGER PICTURE: United States star Pulisic gets just his fourth Premier League start of the season and will play in a forward position instead of the wing-back role the Blues sometimes shoe-horn him into. Meanwhile, Switzerland midfielder Zakaria, who is on-loan from Juventus, makes his first-ever Premier League start.
© Getty Denis Zakaria Switzerland 2022 World Cup
CHELSEA STARTING XI VS BOURNEMOUTH:
IN THREE PHOTOS:
WHAT NEXT FOR CHELSEA? The Blues enter Tuesday’s game in ninth place, so they carry a bit of desperation during the festive period. After Bournemouth, they will try to claw a victory over Nottingham Forest on Sunday.
© Getty Graham Potter Chelsea 2022-23