Chelsea head coach Graham Potter has made an impressive start to life at Stamford Bridge since taking charge of the Blues in September.
The English tactician is on a five-game unbeaten streak, securing four wins and a draw. He has also been able to revive Chelsea's Premier League and UEFA Champions League campaigns.
Potter's arrival has also transformed the Blues' playing pattern as they are more direct and dominant in attack while maintaining a decent defensive shape. The west London club have scored 11 goals in five games while conceding twice and keeping three consecutive clean sheets in the process.
Potter has also been flexible with his squad rotation, with a couple of fringe players being handed game time. A couple, however, are still yet to play under the new Chelsea head coach after five games.
We look at three first-team players without a single minute of action under the Blues' new head coach.
#3 Denis Zakaria
It's unclear what plans Potter has for midfielder Denis Zakaria. The Swiss midfielder is yet to play a single minute of football under the Blues manager.
Zakaria was among the players signed by Chelsea during the summer transfer window, with his move from Juventus being a season-long-loan deal. While the other summer signings have adapted to life at the club, Zakaria seems to be left in the dark at the moment.
The change in management at Chelsea does not seem to have had any positive effect on his lack of game time at the club. As per the DailyStar, the west London outfit could terminate the midfielder's contract in January.
#2 Edouard Mendy
Edouard Mendy is one of the few players whose playing time seems to have been affected by Potter's appointment at Chelsea. The Senegalese shot-stopper is yet to taste a single minute of game time between the sticks for the Blues despite returning from injury.
The Chelsea head coach has opted to play Spanish shot-stopper Kepa Arrizabalaga in goal in his first five games. As it stands, Mendy finds himself in an unusual position at the club, as he has always been the Blues' first-choice goalkeeper since joining in 2020.
Mendy's form at the start of the ongoing campaign was disappointing, as he conceded 10 goals in Chelsea's six games this season. He also kept one clean sheet in the process for the Blues.
#1 N'Golo Kante
The French midfielder has endured a disappointing 2022-23 campaign, which has been disrupted by injuries. After picking up a hamstring injury on August 14 against London rivals Tottenham, N'Golo Kante is yet to feature for Chelsea in any competition.
The 31-year-old is currently among the names who are yet to also play any minutes under the new head coach Potter. Kante is considered an integral part of the Blues' first team. He should be expected to start for the west London outfit once declared fit.
johndoebills
2
is he a racist? why only Black players on this list?
What shows he’s racist? Come on! Am a black man myself m, but we sometimes exaggerate this issue a little too much… it’s a just a coincidence they re all black…. Zakaria was never used by tuchel even tho he was the one who brought him, and u know it bcos Kante is injured dats y… and wat abt when kepa was on the bench all this whole did he complain? And can we conclude that tuchel was racist for benching him, pulisic, Barkley and so on? Come on!!!!
josilva877
3
Quote my word, Mendy will come back strong. Potter bench Mendy to make him Serious when he back to action
vuznors
0
is he a racist? why only Black players on this list?
Temba10
2
I feel for Zakaria as for Mendy he is starting where he needs to start, he was costing the team to much. Kante will be back when the time is right.
fourthorty430
2
Ngolo Kante is injured, Mendy just comes back from injury but Zakaria will have to wait for Carling cup matches ..
marcuskay07
0
All 3 are black and with kepa instead of mendy its getting suspicious. As long as he remains winning he will be ok
Chhalobah, fofana, Koulibali, Sterling, Aubameyang and RLC are all black
yuocilmnrz
0
All 3 are black and with kepa instead of mendy its getting suspicious. As long as he remains winning he will be ok
Kepa is far better than mendy for now
yuocilmnrz
0
TT wasting resources
victoremy
0
Yet th play so so well and more yet to come
Moe-Km
2
Kepa has been better than Mendy and if he keeps this form he will be our regular number 1 again.
Moe-Km
0
All 3 are black and with kepa instead of mendy its getting suspicious. As long as he remains winning he will be ok
why would you even say that ? What does it have anything to do with being black ?? Kante is injuried. Kepa has been better than Mendy. and We have atleast 5 midfielders who have been performing better than Zakaria in training
soloseu
4
chelsea raly need kanta
soloseu
1
chelsea need kante
siwbdkmoyz
3
All 3 are black and with kepa instead of mendy its getting suspicious. As long as he remains winning he will be ok
charitywale
4
Kante is not fully fit, which coach will leave Kante out of his first 11 if he is fully fit Anyways, Graham Potter is settling in well at Chelsea