Hudson Odoi And Alonso To Start, Mount And Chilwell Out: Chelsea’s Predicted XI To Face Atletico Madrid

David Tully

3 years ago

Categories: Chelsea News, Galleries, Match Previews

Tags: Atletico Madrid, callum Hudson-odoi, Chelsea, Marcos Alonso

To be honest with you, trying to second guess Thomas Tuchel’s starting line up is a fool’s errand. Nobody would have guessed Chelsea would have played four at the back against Leeds at the weekend.

However, we are going to hazard a guess that, as he deployed 3-5-2 in the 1-0 win over Atletico in the first leg, that he’ll stick with the tried and tested formula.

Chelsea struggled to finish off their chances versus Leeds, though, so we may see yet another reshuffle in the forward line tomorrow night.

So who will Tuchel pick to play against Atletico Madrid? Press the next page as we choose our predicted eleven:

GK – Edouard Mendy

The Senegalese international made a number of excellent saves at Elland Road. The one from Jack Harrison, in particular, was very impressive.

Mendy has now firmly cemented himself as number one under Tuchel, having kept eight clean sheets in the ten matches he has been selected by the German.

RWB- Reece James

The 21-year-old has been in and out of the team since Tuchel’s first match against Wolves, but this game should be a good chance for him to come back into the side.

If they do switch to a back three, having a more defence-minded right wingback like James could prove useful as they look to protect a first-leg lead.

CB – Cesar Azpilicueta

The captain does look comfortable in every position he plays, and he will likely revert to a centre-back role for the Atletico game.

Azpilicueta has only missed one match since Tuchel’s appointment, and that was the FA Cup win against Barnsley when he was an unused substitute.

CB – Andreas Christensen

The Dane is expected to keep his place after an excellent run of recent form. Against Leeds, he did make one error that led to the home side hitting the crossbar but he was otherwise very solid.

With Thiago Silva unlikely to be available due to a setback in his recovery from a thigh strain, Christensen is set for more game time in the next few fixtures.

CB – Antonio Rudiger

The German was recalled for the match at Elland Road, and he didn’t let anybody down, keeping the lively Raphinha quiet on the left-hand side.

There are reports that Rudiger could even be handed a new contract following his return to prominence under Tuchel; a sharp turnaround in fortunes after looking destined to leave Stamford Bridge just a few months ago.

LWB – Marcos Alonso

After Ben Chilwell struggled against Leeds, it seems likely that Alonso will be recalled to the starting eleven for the Atletico clash.

Of course, if Tuchel’s keeps with a four-man backline, the Spaniard may not be selected, but if he is deployed as a wingback, he has shown himself to be more than useful in recent weeks.

CM – Mateo Kovacic

With Jorginho suspended for the Atletico game, the Croatian international is almost certain to return to the lineup at Stamford Bridge.

Tuchel claimed Kovacic was rested at the weekend, although he raised concerns about risking an injury, so we’ll see if he is at 100% tomorrow evening.

CM – N’Golo Kante

Looked fresh and energetic against Leeds and he will need to show the same work rate when the Blues face an Atletico Madrid side who won’t rest for a second.

Kante seems to have worked his way back into Tuchel’s first-team plans after being used mostly as a substitute in the first few weeks of the German’s reign.

RW – Hakim Ziyech

The Moroccan didn’t impress that much at the weekend but the suspension to Mason Mount may mean he is afforded another chance tomorrow.

Ziyech was brought to the club to provide creativity and he needs to do more in the final third to justify his continued selection in the starting lineup.

CF – Kai Havertz

The German did miss a couple of good chances at Elland Road and, if he does start in the ‘false nine’ role once again, he’ll want to be more clinical.

Despite his poor finishing, Havertz will likely be given another opportunity through the middle versus Atletico.

LW – Callum Hudson-Odoi

The 20-year-old may well be given the nod ahead of Timo Werner, with the German not making an impact against Leeds when he came on as a substitute.

Hudson-Odoi started the first leg in Spain so it may suggest he will be in line for another start tomorrow.