Branislav Ivanovic: Could miss three weeks

Right-back Ivanovic was injured in Serbia’s Euro 2016 qualifier against Albania and had to withdraw from the squad for the next game against Portugal.

According to the Daily Mail, Ivanovic’s absence could see youngster Baba Rahman given a chance in the starting line-up, though Mourinho has previously suggested he is not ready. He needs time to learn, he needs time to adapt.

In Ivanovic’s absence, Mourinho will be desperately hoping no more of his back line pick up injuries as Chelsea look to turn their form around following a miserable start to the season.

Chelsea play Aston Villa this weekend in a must win encounter and Mourinho will use Zouma as the makeshift full back instead of going for the new signing Baba Rahman. “So we have to think about all the details”.

Rahman was unable to travel to the United States for Ghana’s friendly against Canada in Washington after visa issues, meaning the 21-year-old has been one of the few first-team players training at Cobham over the last 10 days. His physical presence may be attractive to Mourinho for the Villa game, with Rudy Gestede posing the greatest threat for Tim Sherwood’s team in the air.

It seems Jose Mourinho is set to bank on Zouma’s Premier League experience against Villa and play him as the right back.

Zouma, who has played in central defence this season and featured in midfield last term, can operate at full-back and may now deputise, with Gary Cahill – rested for England’s trip to Lithuania given recent back problems – and John Terry retained in the centre.

This could well be the final season for Ivanovic at Chelsea. I’m very good in the air, with a big leap, which I would say is probably my biggest quality. “I’ve played there occasionally”. Everyone would have expected the left back to get his first league start against Villa. The France worldwide could potentially fill in on either flank, with Azpilicueta retaining his place, having played at left-back on the club’s pre-season tour of the USA this summer.

The fact the Portuguese appeared to attempt to disguise his appearance by wearing a hood has also resulted in speculation that he was watching transfer targets ahead of the January window.