Azpilicueta And Pulisic To Start, Christensen And Werner Out: Chelsea’s Predicted XI To Play Leeds

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2 years ago

Categories: Chelsea News, Galleries, Match Previews

Tags: Cesar Azpilicueta, Chelsea, Leeds, Leeds United

Things are not exactly going to plan for Chelsea at the moment. Conceding late on against Zenit St Petersburg midweek means they finished second in their Champions League group.

Following on from the disappointing defeat to West Ham, manager Thomas Tuchel has a few issues to sort out defensively on the training pitch this week.

Leeds are not exactly scoring goals for fun this season, though, so you would expect that the Blues will have a better chance of keeping a clean sheet tomorrow.

Press the next page as we predict Chelsea’s starting lineup for the match at Stamford Bridge.

GK – Edouard Mendy

Kepa may have put in a very good display against Zenit midweek but it would be a big surprise if Tuchel dropped Mendy.

The Senegalese international did have a difficult time versus the Hammers last weekend but his consistency over the past year means he deserves the benefit of the doubt.

RWB – Reece James

The 21-year-old actually played well in central midfield but Callum Hudson Odoi is not a wingback, and Cesar Azpilicueta is needed in the back three, so James is likely to revert to his position on the right flank.

He offers a great deal going forward, both in terms of crosses and goals. The England international will undoubtedly be in the thick of the action versus Leeds.

CB – Cesar Azpilicueta

With Trevoh Chalobah not expected to be available, and Andrea Christensen struggling for form, having the experience of the club captain back in the sides is important.

Azpilicueta was part of a back three that conceded three against Zenit on Wednesday night but he wasn’t at fault for any of the goals.

CB – Thiago Silva

The Brazilian got on the scoresheet against West Ham but he wasn’t his usual composed self defensively. Tuchel will hope that resting him midweek will help recover his energy for the Leeds clash.

Silva has, so far this season, belied his years with his outstanding performance but a busy December period will test his ageing body to the limit.

CB – Antonio Rudiger

The German continues to be Chelsea’s most consistent defender, and it is no surprise Tuchel starts him in pretty much every game (considering Malang Sarr’s struggles).

Rudiger will have his work cut out for him tomorrow with Leeds likely to the lineup with their best player, Raphinha, on the German’s side of the pitch.

LWB – Marcos Alonso

Tuchel has a selection headache on the left flank with Ben Chilwell unlikely to feature again this calendar year. Saul was tried at wingback on Wednesday but the experiment failed.

It means that Alonso is expected to be recalled, even though the Spanish international has been far from impressive himself recently.

CM – Jorginho

The Italian is playing whilst injured. He is being overworked due to the lack of other options in the middle of the park, and he looked well off the pace at the London Stadium last weekend.

After having the night off against Zenit, you would hope to see a much better display from Jorginho tomorrow afternoon.

CM – Ruben Loftus-Cheek

Tuchel has confirmed that Mateo Kovacic has contracted the virus and, with N’Golo Kante still out with a knee problem, he has limited choices for Jorginho’s midfield partner.

Loftus-Cheek was one of the few good performers versus West Ham so it’s likely he will be given the nod to start once again this weekend.

RW – Mason Mount

Hakim Ziyech has a very good case for starting but Mount was excellent versus the Hammers so he does deserve to keep his place, despite being disappointing in Russia midweek.

Tuchel has a wealth of options in the attacking third of the pitch so whoever misses out will feel hard done by.

CF – Romelu Lukaku

The Belgian will be relieved to get on the scoresheet against Zenit and Tuchel will be keeping his fingers crossed that he can continue on the goal trail when they face Leeds.

It’s fair to say that the Blues haven’t been able to get the most out of Lukaku so far, and now he is back fit and firing, it will be hoped that he can grab himself a few goals over the festive period to keep them in the title race.

LW – Christian Pulisic

It’s extremely harsh on Timo Werner but his goal record in the Premier League (one in eight appearances) contrasts with his European and domestic cup form.

Pulisic has looked very impressive when given opportunities off the bench recently and the 23-year-old merits his chance in the starting eleven.