Cucurella To Start, Chilwell On The Bench: Chelsea’s Predicted XI To Face Tottenham

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2 years ago

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After getting off to a solid, if not spectacular, start against Everton in the season opener, Chelsea face a much sterner test this weekend when they take on Spurs.

Thomas Tuchel’s side beat their London rivals in all four fixtures last season but Antonio Conte has got his team well drilled, and this could be a tightly-contested game.

With both managers expected to start with three at the back, the key will be winning the one-on-one battles right across the pitch.

Press the next page as we predict the Blues’ starting lineup to play Tottenham on Sunday evening.

GK – Edouard Mendy

The Senegalese international pulled off a very good save to keep out Everton defender James Tarkowski’s header and he was composed every time he was called into action at Goodison Park.

Mendy could have his hands full with the likes of Harry Kane, Son Heung-Min, Dejan Kulusevski and (possibly) Richarlison, so he will be looking to get some decent protection from those in front of him.

RWB – Reece James

The 22-year-old didn’t have a great game against the Toffees but Tuchel admitted afterwards that the wingback wasn’t fully fit, explaining why he wasn’t at his best.

James is expected to be available this weekend, though, and his main job will be keeping an eye on the lively Ryan Sessegnon.

CB – Cesar Azpilicueta

The club captain is likely to play most of his games as a centre-half in the opening weeks of the season, although his position could come under threat if Wesley Fofana arrives from Leicester.

Azpilicueta will need to use all of his experience to ensure that Son doesn’t cause havoc on Chelsea’s right flank. James may have to tuck in and help his older teammate out with the South Korean.

CB – Thiago Silva

The Brazilian was outstanding against Everton, although it should be said that the Toffees didn’t have an out-and-out forward on the pitch so his job was made slightly easier.

With Harry Kane leading the line for Tottenham, things will be very different on Sunday but Silva has shown in previous meetings that he can keep the England striker quiet.

CB – Kalidou Koulibaly

The 31-year-old had a solid debut and, while it may take him a while to get used to playing in a back three, he has all the attributes to be a tremendous asset for the Blues.

Depending on whether Conte opts to start Kulusevski or Richarlison, Koulibaly could come up against very different threats, but you’d back him to be more than a match for either player.

LWB – Marc Cucurella

Tuchel admitted that he had to start Chilwell last weekend despite the England international still lacking match fitness, so it seems that (after a week’s training with his new team), it may be time for the club’s newest signing to start.

Cucurella can play as a left-sided centre-back, but his natural position is wingback, so Tuchel is likely to use him there more often than not.

CM – N’Golo Kante

The Frenchman pretty much summed up Chelsea’s collective performance at Goodison Park. He didn’t really do a lot wrong, but he was pretty quiet for most of the game.

Kante is usually the man for the big occasion, though, and you would expect him to dominate the midfield against the likes of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Rodrigo Bentancur.

CM – Jorginho

The Italian kept things ticking over in the middle of the park versus the Toffees but, much like Kante, he didn’t really make much of an impression on the game (bar the penalty).

Controlling possession against Tottenham will be crucial to prevent their dangerous counter-attack so Jorginho’s influence will be needed.

RW – Mason Mount

The 23-year-old was poor by his own high standards last Saturday but, while Tuchel does have other options available to him, he will be backing Mount to get back to his best for the London derby

Spurs’s defence can be got at, especially if the likes of Eric Dier are pulled out of position. Mount’s movement in-between the lines could prove to be an important factor in getting the three points.

CF – Kai Havertz

The German was poor at Goodison, but Tuchel doesn’t really have many alternatives in terms of players who can lead the line. Armando Broja would be the player but it would be a bold decision to hand him his full league debut in such a high-profile fixture.

Havertz has the ability to really take a game by the scruff of the neck when he is in the right mood. Hopefully, he turns up on Sunday.

LW – Raheem Sterling

The 27-year-old’s ability to take on defenders is something that Chelsea’s forward line has been missing for a long time. He was a standout performer last weekend.

Sterling’s pace and trickery should make life difficult for the likes of Cristian Romero and Emerson Royal on Tottenham’s right flank.