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Chelsea manager Graham Potter has revealed the club’s designated penalty taker following Jorginho’s exit from Stamford Bridge in January.

The Italian midfielder was the man chosen when Chelsea were awarded a spot kick, finding the back of the net more often than not with his signature technique.

But Jorginho has since made a switch to London rivals Arsenal, meaning Potter has been forced into promoting another player into taking on the challenge.

Chelsea boss reveals penalty taker

Penalties are very much a possibility in Chelsea’s Champions League round of 16 encounter with Borussia Dortmund tonight, with the Germans winning the first leg 1-0.

Away goals are no longer in place in the competition, meaning any one-goal margin win for Chelsea would mean extra time, with penalties then taking place if the sides cannot be separated after 120 minutes.

Given the club’s busy schedule in recent weeks and indeed in the weeks to come, Potter is keen to avoid such a scenario at all costs.

Explaining that his players are constantly practising their spot-kicks, the Chelsea manager has revealed that Kai Havertz is now the man entrusted from 12 yards out.

“The boys are always practising penalties,” Potter told the Chelsea website. “We are prepared for that eventuality. We want to get it done before that but if not then okay, we can go through that way. Kai is our designated penalty taker now.”

Chelsea

Chelsea injury struggles continue

The Chelsea players will have mixed feelings going into the game, with their miserable campaign so far slightly halted by Saturday’s 1-0 victory over Leeds. It was a narrow and nervous win, but importantly represented the end of a six-game winless run for Potter’s men.

Injuries have undoubtedly played their part in the club’s struggles this season, with several key players missing large periods of the campaign due to various issues.

In good news for the Blues, one player they can welcome back this evening is winger Christian Pulisic, with Chelsea boss Potter confirming that the American is “training well and looking good.”

There wasn’t such good news regarding N’Golo Kante, however, with Potter explaining: “It’s too soon for N’Golo. He’s had two full training sessions, so too soon, but he’s looking good. We’re going to continue with that progress.

“It’s a complex one with him. He’s had a long time out. There’s back in full training but then it’s how you get him back up to speed to play Champions League and Premier League football.

“That’s where he needs a bit of time with the group in full training, and then we need to build his minutes up. He won’t be able to go straight in for 90 minutes any time soon, but the fact he’s training and getting closer is exciting for everybody.”

Also missing against Dortmund due to injury are Armando Broja and Thiago Silva, while Mason Mount – who missed out against Leeds through injury – is suspended for the Champions League second leg encounter anyway.

Dortmund meanwhile are set to be without talented forward Karim Adeyemi, who scored the only goal of the game when the clubs met last month.