Chelsea look set to make Brighton manager Graham Potter their new boss following the sacking of Thomas Tuchel after the Englishman reportedly verbally agreed to join the club and started saying his goodbyes to those at the Seagulls.

Their former player Yuri Zhirkov suggests how he may choose to line up against London rivals Fulham this weekend as he seeks to arrest his new side’s current slump.

Goalkeeper: Eduoard Mendy

Despite being off form in recent weeks Senegal international Mendy is likely to just about keep his place.

Defenders: Wesley Fofana, Thiago Silva, Marc Cucurella

Potter is likely to stick with a three-at-the-back formation given how much he liked the system at Brighton, and the Blues have grown familiar with it under Tuchel. One certainty to start is Silva. The Brazilian remains the club’s best centre-half despite his age and he will marshall the back three from the middle position.

Wing-backs: Reece James, Ben Chilwell

James is arguably Chelsea’s best player and is an undroppable presence within the first team. He is the club’s most dangerous attacking force at the moment and will line up on the right hand side.  Chilwell may come back to make his first start since the opening day of the season following a goal and an assist against West Ham last weekend.

Midfielders: Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Matteo Kovacic

With Jorginho badly off form and N’Golo Kante injured. Loftus Cheek and Kovacic may have the opportunity to start in the central area. Both players have struggled with injury niggles this season but bring huge amounts of energy to the starting lineup, something Potter has favoured at Brighton.

Forwards: Raheem Sterling, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Mason Mount

Potter has a wide variety of options to choose from in attack despite most of his options underperforming. Sterling is the only player who has produced regular goal involvements this season while Aubameyang made his debut against Zagreb and is likely to keep his place.