Chelsea should field this XI against West Brom next week, do you agree?

Chelsea should field this XI against West Brom next week, do you agree?

Chelsea found themselves on the end of their second big defeat within the space of just over a week on Monday night.

The Blues were humbled 4-1 by London rivals Watford at Vicarage Road, with goals from Troy Deeney, Daryl Janmaat, Gerard Deulofeu and Roberto Pereyra securing what was a miserable night for Antonio Conte’s side.

Only last weekend were Chelsea on the end of the 3-0 thrashing at the hands of struggling Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge – and their latest defeat has alarm bells ringing.

Next up, are West Brom – and while it may seem a routine fixture normally – Chelsea’s recent form suggests otherwise, and the Baggies have presented themselves as a particularly bad omen for the fate of Chelsea managers in recent years as both Andre Villas-Boas and Roberto Di Matteo were sacked after defeats to West Brom.

Fate is not on Antonio Conte’s side, but ultimately his own future lies in his (and his player’s) hands. An injection of fresh blood is just what the Blues need next week. Here at ChelseaNews we suggest the Italian should give this XI a go at Stamford Bridge next Monday, do you agree?

What’s changed?

Thankfully, the woeful Tiemoue Bakayoko has been suspended following his red card against Watford, paving the day for Danny Drinkwater to make his way back into the side.

The Englishman – whose signing was heavily criticised during the summer – has looked at ease in Chelsea’s midfield alongside former Leicester City team-mate N’Golo Kante when given the chance. While he tends not to do anything spectacular (except his goal against Stoke perhaps), he provides stability in the middle of the park that Bakayoko cannot.

Antonio Conte has been insistent on not playing a striker in Alvaro Morata’s absence – but results have proven that doesn’t work. Olivier Giroud comes in at top. His brief cameo at Watford was an unfortunate start to his Blues career, and the Frenchman wasn’t helped by his team-mates insistence of lumping the ball into him in the box. As good with his feet as he is in the air, Giroud is far more than a targetman.

Finally – youth. Willian and Pedro, despite their obvious qualities, haven’t been at the races this season for the most part, yet no-one is there to challenge for their places. Promising youngster Callum Hudson-Odoi, who was given a brief stints against Newcastle and Bournemouth, impressed with his energy and dynamism, and hence should be given the chance to give both Willian and Pedro a run for their money out-wide.

What do you think? Leave a comment below!