Gilmour And Hudson Odoi To Start, Pulisic On The Bench: Chelsea’s Predicted XI To Face Leicester

Content Editor

3 years ago

Categories: Chelsea News, Galleries, Match Previews

Tags: callum Hudson-odoi, Chelsea, Leicester, Reece James

Following a nervy 1-0 win against Fulham on Saturday, manager Frank Lampard will need a better performance from his Chelsea side if they are to get a result against Leicester this evening.

The Foxes are in very good form having not lost since the defeat to Everton last month, and this will be a very tricky encounter for the Blues to negotiate.

Lampard has an almost fully fit squad to choose from so he does have options to rotate and put some fresh legs into the starting lineup if he so wishes.

So who will start at the King Power Stadium? Press the next page as we predict the eleven for the game.

GK – Edouard Mendy

The 28-year-old wasn’t really involved versus Fulham, especially after the Cottagers went down to ten men, but he will, almost certainly, be tested more this evening.

There are still some concerns with Mendy’s decision making, after an incident with Cesar Azpilicueta at Craven Cottage but, for the most part, he is an assured presence at the back.

RB – Reece James

After being named on the substitute bench against Fulham, the 21-year-old is very likely to be recalled by Lampard following his recovery from a hamstring problem.

Azpilicueta did not have the best first half at the weekend and that will likely hasten James’ return to the starting eleven.

CB – Kurt Zouma

Eyebrows were raised when Antonio Rudiger was surprisingly named ahead of the Frenchman in the starting eleven for the Fulham clash. However, Zouma could come back into the team as he has slightly more pace to deal with Jamie Vardy.

Leicester do have threats all over the pitch but if the Blues can keep their number nine quiet, it will go a long way to securing a good result.

CB – Thiago Silva

Lampard rarely plays the Brazilian more than once a week, due to the player’s age, but this game may be an exception considering how vital his experience at the back will be against a threatening opponent.

You can’t rule out Rudiger starting in his place simply because of Silva’s fitness so this position is probably the biggest question mark heading into the match.

LB – Ben Chilwell

The fullback looked very comfortable against Fulham and played a part in Mason Mount’s winning goal, with his cross being parried by goalkeeper Alphonse Areola into the path of the Chelsea midfielder.

Chilwell gives the team an added dimension going forward when playing and he is no slouch defensively either.

CM – Mason Mount

Any critics of the 22-year-old would have been silenced at the weekend as the midfielder popped up with the crucial winner at Craven Cottage.

Mount may have lacked goals this season but he has been, by far and away, the club’s best player in every other regard. Lampard gets an 8/10 performance from him every time he goes out on the pitch.

DM – Billy Gilmour

With N’Golo Kante out injured, and Jorginho showing his limitations against Fulham, the Scottish Under 21 international will surely be given the chance to start tonight.

Gilmour provides both the drive going forward and the passing accuracy which can help Chelsea take control of games. He may lack Jorginho’s experience but he has shown since his return from injury that he is a better option than the Italian.

CM – Kai Havertz

Mateo Kovacic is not having the best of times at the moment, and this is the right moment to reintroduce the club’s record signing into the starting lineup.

Havertz showed against Morecambe that he can offer a great deal going forward and, although not everything is coming off for him, he merits a place in the eleven.

RW – Hakim Ziyech

The Moroccan is slowly getting back to his best following his hamstring injury, and his creativity will certainly be needed at the King Power this evening.

Lampard has a wealth of options in wide areas but you do feel Ziyech is the one who can provide an end product on a more consistent basis.

CF – Olivier Giroud

With Timo Werner toiling, this will be a straight fight between the Frenchman and Tammy Abraham. Although Giroud didn’t make a great impact against Fulham, he still is the better of the two at holding up the ball.

Considering Leicester may well look to go at Chelsea, having an out ball like Giroud could provide Lampard’s men with a good platform to feed off so they can begin counter-attacks.

LW – Callum Hudson-Odoi

Christian Pulisic was pretty quiet at Craven Cottage, and with Hudson-Odoi showing his hunger with some excellent cameos off the bench, the 20-year-old deserves his start.

Playing on his favoured left-wing as well, we should see the best of the England international if he is included in the lineup tonight.