Chilwell, James, Kante And Mount To Start, Loftus Cheek And Ziyech Out: Chelsea’s Predicted XI To Face Burnley

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2 years ago

Categories: Chelsea News, Galleries, Match Previews

Tags: Ben Chilwell, Burnley, Chelsea, Mason Mount, Reece James

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel will be hoping for a fifth consecutive win in the Premier League when his side face Burnley on Saturday.

Things could not have gone any better for the Blues over the past month and while, it must be said, they haven’t really faced any big teams during that period, they have got the job done.

Burnley did win 3-1 against Brentford last weekend and while Sean Dyche’s men will likely be a tough nut to crack, you would expect the home side to secure the three points.

Press the next page as we go through our starting lineup for the game at Stamford Bridge this weekend.

GK – Edouard Mendy

The 29-year-old has been in ludicrously good form so far this season, keeping nine clean sheets in 14 appearances for Chelsea.

Mendy is unlikely to be troubled too much by Burnley, although you’d expect he’ll be put under pressure if the Clarets get a corner or two. He is, though, calm and composed enough to deal with the challenge.

RWB – Reece James

Four goals in just seven league games is seriously impressive stuff, and the way he took his brace at St James’ Park last weekend suggests there could be more to come.

James has proven to Tuchel that he is a more than capable wingback. Back in the summer, there was talk of Chelsea trying to snap up Achraf Hakimi but there will surely be no need to go into the market to sign a competitor for James any time soon.

CB – Andreas Christensen

The Dane seems to be starting regularly ahead of Cesar Azpilicueta in the right-sided centre-back role so he is expected to keep his place after the Malmo win.

Christensen has still not signed a new contract and with his current deal expiring at the end of the season, fans will be hoping any issues are resolved quickly.

CB – Thiago Silva

There will be a four-day gap between the Malmo fixture and the Burnley match so there shouldn’t be any concerns about the Brazilian international’s fitness.

Silva does seem to be defying the ageing process and, at 37 years of age, he is showing no signs of slowing down.

CB – Antonio Rudiger

There may be doubts over Rudiger’s long term future but he continues to put in impressive performances for the Blues, looking very assured against Malmo on Tuesday.

The German has barely put a foot wrong since the arrival of Tuchel at the club and the Chelsea boss will be desperate to keep him at Stamford Bridge.

LWB – Ben Chilwell

Marcos Alonso’s rather underwhelming display during the week will likely lead to Tuchel reinstating Chilwell for the Burnley clash on Saturday.

The 24-year-old has been making up for lost time after a slow start to the season, and he will be looking to maintain his first-team place.

CM – Jorginho

The Italian was the orchestrator in midfield during the 3-0 win over Newcastle last weekend and he put in another decent display on Tuesday.

With Mateo Kovacic sidelined, and Saul Niguez barely getting a look-in, Jorginho is unlikely to be rested for the Burnley match.

CM – N’Golo Kante

The Frenchman did not travel to Sweden as the Blues try to manage his fitness but you would expect he will be recalled for Saturday’s match, due to the physical nature of their opponents.

Considering how well Ruben Loftus-Cheek did against Malmo, there is an argument for keeping the 25-year-old in the eleven so we shall see which way Tuchel goes.

RW – Mason Mount

It will be harsh leaving Hakim Ziyech out after his goal on Tuesday but Mount is in superb form, and you would want him on the field to help unlock a stubborn Burnley defence.

The 22-year-old should have recovered from his illness in time for the weekend but, if he isn’t 100%, he may be left on the bench, with Ziyech keeping his place.

CF – Kai Havertz

The German did a lot of good things against Malmo, but his finishing is a concern, and it will be hoped that he can put a chance away if he does get one against Burnley.

With Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner expected to return after the international break, this could be Havertz’s last chance to impress in the number 9 role.

LW – Callum Hudson-Odoi

With Christian Pulisic back fit, there is more competition for places on the left wing, so Hudson-Odoi will want to continue his recent good form with another standout display this weekend.

The 20-year-old is getting an extended run in his favoured position and he is making the sort of impression that Tuchel would have been hoping for.