How Chelsea Could Line Up Against Sevilla In The Champions League

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4 years ago

Chelsea manager Frank Lampard will be determined to get his side’s Champions League campaign off to a good start when they face Sevilla this evening.

Their opponents are coming into the game off the back of a 1-0 defeat to Granada so the Blues are playing them at the right time but they will have to improve on their showing last time out versus Southampton.

Lampard will have a couple of key players back in contention for tonight’s match at Stamford Bridge so that should help them get the three points, but he does have a few selection headaches ahead of the game.

Press the next page as we go through our predicted eleven for Chelsea’s Champions League opener.

GK – Edouard Mendy

It has been confirmed that the Senegalese international has returned to training after recovering from a thigh injury earlier than expected.

Mendy will almost certainly be recalled to replace Kepa Arrizabalaga, who made yet another mistake in the 3-3 draw against Southampton at the weekend.

RB – Cesar Azpilicueta

Despite Reece James being in good form, Lampard will likely favour a more defensive-minded player for the first group match to ensure they have a greater chance of getting a clean sheet.

Azpilicueta’s leadership and experience, alongside the returning Thiago Silva, should help the Blues tighten up at the back.

CB – Thiago Silva

Fans will be relieved to see the Brazilian veteran back in contention after some of the calamitous defending that they witnessed in the Southampton game on Saturday.

Silva won’t eliminate all of the team’s defensive mistakes overnight but he’ll provide a stabilising presence in a backline that needs a level head.

CB – Kurt Zouma

The Frenchman certainly didn’t have his best game versus Southampton but he has looked more secure with Silva as his partner so Lampard may opt to keep him in the side.

Zouma will be 26 next week and his errors can’t be blamed on being young anymore. He needs to step up to the plate or others will take his place.

LB – Ben Chilwell

Performed well against Southampton, despite the Blues conceding three, and he certainly offers a greater attacking threat down the left-hand side as well as being a more solid presence at the back than Marcos Alonso.

Chilwell has had to play a lot of games despite some injury concerns but Lampard will want to put out his best team for the Sevilla clash so he won’t be rested.

CM – N’Golo Kante

The France international didn’t have his best game at the weekend, but his dynamism in midfield will certainly come in useful in the Champions League where the pace is generally slower.

As always, Kante will be crucial to breaking up opposition attacks and helping Chelsea to establish a foothold against Sevilla.

CM – Mateo Kovacic

The Croatian was missing from the squad for the Southampton draw but after losing control of the match in the second half, Lampard will likely recall him tonight to give his midfield more energy.

Kovacic may not always contribute in the final third of the pitch but, alongside Kante, he can form part of an effective shield in front of the Blues’ vulnerable defence.

AM – Kai Havertz

A mixed bag a the weekend, the German took his goal well and was excellent in possession, for the most part, but he was at fault for giving away the ball that led to Danny Ings making it 2-1.

Havertz is gradually establishing himself in the number 10 position after being shunted around somewhat by Lampard in the opening weeks of the campaign.

RW – Hakim Ziyech

The Moroccan finally made his debut as a substitute at the weekend and, after also getting some minutes on international duty, it may be the time to give him his first start.

With the Champions League being a slightly slower pace, it could help Ziyech ease back into things and get up to speed before the clash against United this weekend.

CF – Timo Werner

After bagging a brace on Saturday, the German will be looking to build on that excellent display by getting off to a good start in the Champions League as well.

Werner looks happier playing centrally, rather than out on the left flank, and hopefully, this is where we’ll see him for the majority of the season.

LW – Christian Pulisic

The American started out of position on the right versus Southampton but, with Mason Mount looking a bit jaded at the weekend, it may lead to him swapping back to his favoured left-hand side.

Pulisic put in a decent enough display on his return to the starting line up and he’ll be looking to stay fit for a lengthy spell after spending a couple of months on the sidelines.