Gallagher And Azpilicueta To Start, Koulibaly On The Bench: Chelsea’s Predicted XI To Play Newcastle

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1 year ago

Categories: Chelsea News, Galleries, Match Previews

Tags: Cesar Azpilicueta, Chelsea, Conor Gallagher, newcastle united

While there were some positives to take out of the 2-0 defeat to Manchester City midweek, it was nonetheless another setback for Chelsea boss Graham Potter.

After a really disappointing display against Arsenal as well, the mood around Stamford Bridge is not great heading into a tricky encounter versus Newcastle.

The Magpies have not lost at home in the league so far this season and the Blues will have to be at their best if they want to get a result this weekend.

Press the next page as we predict Chelsea’s starting lineup for the match on Saturday.

GK – Edouard Mendy

The 30-year-old is not looking that confident at the moment. Against City, he was closed down by Julian Alvarez and he could have, arguably, done better with Riyad Mahrez’s free-kick.

With Kepa Arrizabalaga sidelined until after the World Cup, though, Mendy will be in goal to face Newcastle. Hopefully, he will put in a more assured performance.

RB – Cesar Azpilicueta

The club captain should not have been tasked with going up against Gabriel Martinelli last weekend, and the blame for that decision is solely attributed to Potter.

However, unless Allan Saint-Maximin is handed a start by Eddie Howe, Azpilicueta won’t have the same problems against Newcastle.

CB – Trevoh Chalobah

The 23-year-old has looked a bit leggy in recent fixtures but Kalidou Koulibaly’s poor performance midweek suggests that the Senegalese international may be the one to miss out if Potter reverts to four at the back.

Chalobah has still been solid, despite coming up against the Premier League’s two best attacks in recent matches, so he deserves to stay in the side.

CB – Thiago Silva

Some have said that the Brazilian was finally beginning to show his age with a below-par performance versus Arsenal but he is still, by far, the club’s best centre-back.

With Callum Wilson struggling with illness, Silva is expected to come up against Chris Wood, so he should be able to get the better of the New Zealander.

LB – Marc Cucurella

After being (deservedly) criticised for some of his displays, the Spaniard did take a big step forward with his performance at the Etihad midweek.

Cucurella is definitely more comfortable in a back three, but he may have to switch to a full-back position at St James’ Park.

CM – Jorginho

Denis Zakaria didn’t do anything against City in midweek to suggest that he deserves to stay in the starting lineup to face the Magpies.

By the same measure, Jorginho’s recent displays have been underwhelming so Potter may have to make a judgement call on this one. The Italian’s experience of English football may lead to him being given the nod.

AM – Conor Gallagher

The midfielder didn’t do a great deal after replacing Kai Havertz against Arsenal last weekend but, considering how poor the German was, you would think Gallagher will start ahead of him on Saturday.

Gallagher should also be full of confidence following his surprise call-up by England for the World Cup, which should hold him in good stead.

CM – Mateo Kovacic

It’s clear that the Croatian is one of Potter’s favourite players, after he was handed the captain’s armband midweek, and there are plenty of reasons to justify that opinion.

If the Blues had more midfielders like Kovacic, they would certainly not be thirteen points off the top of the table.

RW – Mason Mount

The England international’s recall is not based on form. To be honest, he was poor against Arsenal, but he still offers more than what Christian Pulisic and Hakim Ziyech bring to the table.

Mount has eight goal contributions this campaign, while Pulisic has three and Ziyech zero. Perhaps if the latter two were given more starts, they would start producing but they haven’t really shown many signs of that.

ST- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Again, this is a difficult decision. Aubameyang was anonymous versus the Gunners but, equally, Armando Broja wasn’t particularly great midweek.

Aubameyang’s movement could cause Newcastle more problems so Potter may decide to start the 33-year-old.

LW – Raheem Sterling

The England international is suffering with low confidence levels at the moment, but you can’t give up on the £47.5m summer signing so quickly.

Potter should keep Sterling out on the left wing, instead of chopping and changing his position, in order to get the best out of him.