Hall, Hudson Odoi And Niguez To Start, Lukaku On The Bench: Chelsea’s Predicted XI To Face Plymouth

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2 years ago

Categories: Chelsea News, Galleries, Match Previews

Tags: callum Hudson-odoi, Chelsea, Lewis Hall, Plymouth Argyle

Chelsea play their Club World Cup semi-final on Wednesday so manager Thomas Tuchel is likely to make a number of changes for the FA Cup fourth-round clash against Plymouth tomorrow lunchtime.

Argyle are having a decent season in League One, so they will be a significant step up on Chesterfield, but you would expect to see a similar lineup to that game.

With the match being at Stamford Bridge, the Blues should be able to make their home advantage count, as long as they are not complacent.

Press the next page as we predict Chelsea’s starting eleven for tomorrow’s game.

GK – Marcus Bettinelli

The third choice keeper started in the last round against Chesterfield so, if Tuchel is being consistent in his selections, the former Fulham player will get his second start of the season versus Plymouth.

Kepa will be in goal for the Club World Cup so the Spaniard won’t be too disappointed if he misses out this weekend, despite knowing that Edouard Mendy will be back from international duty very soon.

RWB – Callum Hudson-Odoi

The Blues will need as many options as possible to break down the opposition so you’d expect to see some attack-minded players in the two wingback roles.

It may not be Hudson-Odoi’s favourite position but he should be able to cause problems for Argyle’s defence up and down the right flank.

CB – Trevoh Chalobah

The centre-half was on the bench for the win over Tottenham so he should have got enough training under his belt to fully recover his fitness after his hamstring problem.

Chalobah will need to be managed carefully, though, as the 22-year-old has had a couple of muscular injuries over the past few months.

CB – Andreas Christensen

The Dane has recovered from the virus and, with Thiago Silva only recently back from international duty, you’d expect he’ll be given the nod ahead of the veteran Brazilian.

Christensen has not exactly been in top form recently, and it seems certain that doubts over his long-term future at the club have played a role in that.

CB – Malang Sarr

Considering the Frenchman wasn’t even getting a look-in at the start of the season, he has shown tremendous character and endeavour to force his way into Tuchel’s first-team plans.

Some of that has been forced due to injury and fitness issues, but Sarr has taken his opportunities with both hands. He very much deserves the praise he has been receiving recently.

LWB – Lewis Hall

The 17-year-old impressed with his attacking contributions against Chesterfield in the last round, despite starting the match as the left-sided centre-back.

With Marcos Alonso struggling, and Ben Chilwell out for the rest of the campaign, Tuchel may well consider starting Hall at wingback tomorrow.

CM – Mateo Kovacic

The Croatian has arguably been the Blues’ most consistent midfielder so far this season, and he may be given the nod, ahead of Kante and Jorginho, with Ruben Loftus-Cheek sidelined.

Kovacic brings a directness to the team, which should help Chelsea break down a stubborn Plymouth defence tomorrow.

CM – Saul Niguez

The Spaniard has actually looked decent in recent outings but he remains a peripheral figure in the squad, having played just ONE MINUTE in the last six Premier League fixtures.

It looks as though Niguez’s appearances will be restricted to cup games, barring injuries, before he is sent back to Atletico in the summer.

RW – Hakim Ziyech

The Moroccan was fantastic against Spurs, but he needs consistent game time to stay at that level, so hopefully, he will be given another start by Tuchel this weekend.

Ziyech does possess outstanding natural talent and if he can reproduce his best on a more regular basis, there is a place for him in Chelsea’s first eleven.

CF – Kai Havertz

The German international’s last start came against Spurs in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final almost a month ago so he needs more minutes to get his match sharpness back.

If Havertz can get a goal or two against Plymouth, it should help boost his confidence heading into a packed fixture schedule where his services will be needed.

LW – Timo Werner

Similar to Havertz, Werner needs game time, and if he isn’t going to start in a domestic cup game against Plymouth, when is he?

The German did score in the last round versus Chesterfield so if he can get back in the goals tomorrow, that should hold him in good stead going forward.