Havertz, Pulisic And Gilmour To Start, Jorginho Out: Chelsea’s Predicted XI To Face Leicester

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3 years ago

Categories: Chelsea News, Galleries, Match Previews

Tags: Billy Gilmour, Chelsea, Christian Pulisic, Kai Havertz, Leicester

Chelsea will be looking for revenge as they take on Leicester City in the league tomorrow night.

The Blues failed to break down the Foxes at the weekend, but they will be hoping to put in a better performance when they line up in front of 10,000 fans at Stamford Bridge.

With supporters present in the ground for the first time since last year, it should spur the players on to get the three points they need as they look to secure a top-four finish.

Press the next page as we predict our starting lineup for the game tomorrow.

GK – Edouard Mendy

Some were blaming Kepa for Youri Tielemans’s goal on Saturday but it was a world-class strike that no goalkeeper would have saved.

Even so, Mendy is expected to be recalled, having been rested for Chelsea’s last two matches. The 29-year-old will be looking to keep another clean sheet against Leicester.

RWB – Reece James

Tuchel’s decision to select the fullback in the back three at the weekend surprised fans and pundits alike, and while the defender performed well in his new position, it did affect the team’s ability to attack.

James is far more threatening in the final third than Cesar Azpilicueta, with his whipped crosses usually very difficult to handle for opposing defences.

CB – Cesar Azpilicueta

The club captain may well be restored to a more recognised position by Tuchel tomorrow, following his spell at wingback.

Funnily enough, Azpilicueta did have one of Chelsea’s best chances in the first half at Wembley on Saturday but his strengths are better suited to playing deeper.

CB – Thiago Silva

This is a difficult call, knowing what we do about the Brazilian’s fitness. Playing three games in seven days is a bit of a stretch for the 36-year-old.

While Silva’s experience is very much needed in such a big game, fans should not be surprised if he sits the match out and Kurt Zouma starts.

CB – Antonio Rudiger

The German international’s tendency to shoot from long range does frustrate supporters at times, but he is undoubtedly the most capable centre-half at bringing the ball out from the back.

Rudiger is the only player in Chelsea’s first-team squad currently who is comfortable in the left centre-back role so Tuchel will continue to select him regularly.

LWB – Ben Chilwell

Starting Alonso ahead of the England international at the weekend was undoubtedly a selection mistake by Tuchel, especially considering Chilwell came on to make a telling contribution with the disallowed equaliser.

The 24-year-old is simply more consistent than his rivals for the left wingback slot and he is expected to come back into the side tomorrow.

CM – N’Golo Kante

The Frenchman was rather impressive at Wembley on Saturday despite his fitness being a major talking point heading into the match.

Kante has been extremely consistent in recent weeks, and if Chelsea are to get a positive result in the league clash against Leicester, he will be at the heart of things.

CM – Billy Gilmour

Jorginho has been extremely disappointing in the last two defeats so it will be interesting to see whether Tuchel goes with another option in midfield.

Mateo Kovacic is available but it would be a big call to start him, considering he hasn’t played for over a month. Gilmour has, though, been in action recently and he possesses similar traits to Jorginho which would make him a decent replacement.

AM – Mason Mount

It was concerning that the 22-year-old seemed to drift out of the game in the second half of the FA Cup final, and it will be hoped that the amount of matches he has played hasn’t finally caught up with him.

Mount’s driving runs forward on the ball will be crucial if they are to break the deadlock against a disciplined Leicester team tomorrow.

CF – Kai Havertz

The German does seem to blow hot and cold, and after a couple of disappointing recent displays, it would be good to see him back at his best again in an important match.

Havertz may be inspired to put in a display with supporters back in the ground, so fans will be keeping their fingers crossed that they will see a good performance from him.

CF – Christian Pulisic

The American did not impress after coming on in the FA Cup final but he deserves to start in place of Hakim Ziyech, who was well below par at the weekend.

Pulisic should be chomping at the bit to prove to Tuchel that he deserves to be a regular starter in this Chelsea side.