Havertz And Ziyech To Start, Werner On The Bench: Chelsea’s Predicted XI To Face Tottenham

David Tully

3 years ago

Categories: Chelsea News, Galleries, Match Previews

The London derby versus Tottenham on Sunday will give manager Frank Lampard a barometer to see how his Chelsea side measure up against one of most in-form teams in the division.

Jose Mourinho’s men are currently on top on goal difference following their win over Manchester City last weekend so this will be a big test for the Blues.

If they do come away with the three points at Stamford Bridge, though, supporters will be even more convinced that a title challenge is on the cards this season. So who will start for the home team?

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

GK – Edouard Mendy

The 28-year-old continued his superb form in midweek against Rennes, pulling off a few really good saves to ensure that the Blues secured the three points in France.

Mendy now has seven clean sheets in 10 appearances for Chelsea and he will be hoping to make it eight in 11 on Sunday.

RB – Reece James

The fullback was rested midweek, but he is expected to come back into the side, in place of captain Cesar Azpilicueta this weekend.

James has been one of Frank Lampard’s most consistent performers this season and the sky really is the limit for the 20-year-old.

CB – Thiago Silva

The Brazilian did show he was human when he missed the flight of the ball at a corner for Rennes’ goal on Tuesday night, but it was a rare lapse of concentration.

Silva’s experience will be invaluable for a London derby, and his composure will hopefully help Chelsea keep things secure at the back for 90 minutes on Sunday.

CB – Kurt Zouma

The Frenchman has certainly been much better in recent weeks playing alongside Silva but there are still moments, as we saw in the Rennes game, where he lacks consistency.

Zouma is imperious in the air and that dominance will hopefully help him stop Harry Kane holding up the ball for Spurs’ attack this weekend.

LB – Ben Chilwell

It certainly wasn’t one of his best games against Rennes but the England international will be crucial running up and down the left flank on Sunday.

Tottenham do leave themselves vulnerable on the right-hand side, with Serge Aurier regularly bombing forward and Chilwell could certainly exploit the space left by the Ivorian.

CM – N’Golo Kante

The Frenchman was rested during the week so he should be very fresh for the clash at Stamford Bridge this weekend. He has been in very good form playing as the solitary holding midfielder recently and he will need to be on his toes against Spurs.

Kante usually excels in the big games, and if he performs well on Sunday, it will give Chelsea a great platform to dominate the midfield.

CM – Mason Mount

Lampard could opt to go with Mateo Kovacic as a more conservative choice but Mount has shown that he is capable of playing well from deeper positions.

As well as his work rate, he can also pick out a pass (as he did for Hudson-Odoi on Tuesday) and he is more of a goal threat.

AM – Kai Havertz

The German international did get some minutes off the bench during the week so hopefully, he will be ready to make his first start since the end of last month.

Havertz will be looking to make his mark in a big game, and a goal in the London derby would certainly help him do that.

RW – Hakim Ziyech

The 27-year-old was impressive against Newcastle last weekend and, with him not starting versus Rennes on Tuesday, he should be fresh to come back into the starting eleven for the Spurs clash.

Ziyech’s creativity in the final third of the pitch could be crucial to unlock the Blues’ opponents, who are well drilled under Jose Mourinho.

CF – Tammy Abraham

The striker has scored in his last two Premier League goals so even though Olivier Giroud bagged the winner late on against Rennes earlier this week, the England international is unlikely to be dropped.

Abraham will, though, be keen to put in a performance to justify his continued selection in the starting eleven.

LW – Callum Hudson-Odoi

After scoring the opener in midweek, it would be very harsh if Lampard takes him out of the side immediately. With that in mind, he could be selected on the left flank in order to give Timo Werner a rest.

The German looked out of sorts against Rennes and it may be wise to take him out of the firing line for one game at least. Both the forward and Christian Pulisic could be used as impact subs on Sunday.