Christopher Nkunku And Malo Gusto To Start; Benoit Badiashile Out: Chelsea’s Predicted XI To Play Wolves
There can be no getting away from the fact that Chelsea’s performance against Liverpool midweek was an unmitigated disaster.
Fans may quibble with some of the decisions that didn’t go the Blues’ way but they could have easily conceded more than the four they did at Anfield.
Manager Mauricio Pochettino has to rally his players so his team can get back to winning ways against Wolves on Sunday afternoon.
Press the next page as we predict Chelsea’s starting eleven for the game at Stamford Bridge.
Goalkeeper and Defence
GK – Djordje Petrovic – while Robert Sanchez may be nearing a return to full fitness, the Serbian international has now firmly established himself as the club’s no.1 after some very good performances over the last couple of months.
RB – Malo Gusto – the Frenchman returned from injury against Liverpool, coming on at halftime and almost immediately setting up a chance that Mykhailo Mudryk spurned. If he stays fit, the defender will be a regular starter on the right-hand side of defence for the rest of the season.
CB – Axel Disasi – the defence didn’t actually improve that much when the 25-year-old moved centrally in the second half at Anfield, but he is in better form than Benoit Badiashile, who may now face an extended period out of the team after an awful performance midweek.
CB – Thiago Silva – it’s shocking to see the Brazilian so bereft of confidence but Pochettino has to keep faith in him as he is, by far, the club’s most experienced player.
LB – Ben Chilwell – Levi Colwill could be given the nod to play ahead of the vice-captain if he is fit. However, the short turnaround between games may mean the Wolves fixture comes too soon. Despite hauling Chilwell off at half-time on Wednesday, Pochettino may have no choice but to pick him again.
Midfield
CM – Moises Caicedo – the Ecuadorian international was simply overwhelmed by Liverpool’s press midweek. It will be hoped that one poor display doesn’t set him back too far after some promising form recently.
CM – Enzo Fernandez – the 23-year-old was not as overawed as Caicedo but he certainly didn’t provide the type of authority and dominance you would expect from a World Cup winner at Anfield.
Against Wolves, you would hope both Fernandez and Caicedo will have a lot more control of the game in the middle of the pitch.
AM – Christopher Nkunku – the Frenchman came on to play up front in the second half against Liverpool and he was extremely effective, getting on the scoresheet. Pochettino may opt to play him slightly deeper versus Wolves, with Conor Gallagher making way.
Forwards
RW – Cole Palmer – the 21-year-old was very quiet against the Reds, and his game seemed to be somewhat stifled by Pochettino deploying him as a false nine.
Against Wolves, Palmer may well be shifted to the right flank in order to make room for Nkunku. Fans will hope that the summer signing from Manchester City can strike up a strong partnership with the France international.
CF – Nicolas Jackson – with Armando Broja having joined Fulham on loan and no replacement brought in, the onus will be on the Senegalese international to lead the line. The striker didn’t make the bench for the Liverpool game after only recently returning from the African Cup of Nations but he should be available this weekend.
LW – Raheem Sterling – Mudryk’s ineffective second-half display on Wednesday evening means that the Ukrainian is unlikely to be selected ahead of the England international for the Wolves fixture. Despite his lack of consistency in front of goal, Sterling remains one of the Blues’ most effective forwards.