James And Mount To Start, Havertz On The Bench: Chelsea’s Predicted XI To Face Bournemouth

David Tully

1 year ago

Categories: Chelsea News, Galleries, Match Previews

Tags: Bournemouth, Chelsea, Mason Mount, Reece James

After recording four defeats in their last five matches before the World Cup, Chelsea will be hoping for a change of fortunes when they resume their season against Bournemouth tonight.

Manager Graham Potter knows he needs to get some more victories under his belt to get supporters back on side, but he won’t be helped by the number of injuries in the first-team squad.

The Blues have the likes of Wesley Fofana, N’Golo Kante, Ben Chilwell and Armando Broja on the treatment table, while Hakim Ziyech and Mateo Kovacic are not expected to feature following their exploits in Qatar.

Press the next page as we name Chelsea’s starting lineup to take on the Cherries this evening.

GK – Edouard Mendy

The Senegalese international has reportedly rejected a contract extension, and there is growing speculation that he will leave Stamford Bridge; most likely at the end of the season.

Mendy is expected to keep the gloves for now, with Kepa Arrizabalaga having taken longer than expected to recover from a foot injury he sustained against Brighton back in late October.

RWB – Reece James

Potter has confirmed that the 23-year-old is fit and ready for selection, after having to miss the World Cup with a knee injury.

James hasn’t started a match for almost three months so it may be a slight risk selecting him against Bournemouth but he offers the team so much as a wingback that Potter will be tempted to throw him in straight away.

CB – Trevoh Chalobah

The centre-back should be fresh and raring to go, having had no competitive action since Chelsea’s 1-0 defeat to Newcastle last month.

Chalobah will be facing a physically imposing threat in Kieffer Moore and Dominic Solanke and he will need both composure and intelligence to make sure neither striker gets the better of him.

CB – Thiago Silva

With Brazil having been knocked out at the quarter-final stage of the World Cup, Silva will be extra determined to ensure that he is successful at club level this season.

The 38-year-old is still the Blues’ best centre-back, despite his advancing years, and you would back him to deal with the challenges posed by Bournemouth’s attack.

CB – Kalidou Koulibaly

With reports that Chelsea are stepping up their attempts to sign Monaco’s Benoit Badiashile, Koulibaly could soon find himself under pressure for his place in the starting lineup.

The 31-year-old has struggled to come to terms with the pace of the Premier League and he may find himself on the periphery if his form doesn’t improve in the coming weeks.

LWB – Marc Cucurella

The Spaniard has flattered to deceive since arriving from Brighton but he does have a window of opportunity to impress while Chilwell is still sidelined with injury.

Cucurella should get some joy against Bournemouth. Ryan Christie likes to cut inside to play in more central positions so it could be a one-on-one battle with fullback Adam Smith.

CM – Jorginho

The Italian is expected to have a lot of the ball this evening, with Bournemouth likely to sit deep and allow the Blues plenty of possession.

Jorginho’s inconsistent performances this campaign have been a major bone of contention, but he will need to be close to his best to break down a stubborn Cherries defence.

CM – Conor Gallagher

With Kante, Kovacic and Loftus-Cheek all unavailable, Gallagher is likely to be given the nod to play in the middle of the park.

Denis Zakaria is the other option that Potter could consider but the Swiss international’s lack of game time would suggest Gallagher will be the one selected to start.

RW – Mason Mount

The England international has been struggling with a tight calf muscle in the build-up to the Bournemouth clash but it is believed that he should be ready to play.

Mount has been well below his best so far this campaign and he will be looking to put in some better displays as the Premier League resumes.

ST- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Kai Havertz would be the main alternative that Potter could consider but Aubameyang’s goal threat and ability to lead the line may see him favoured for this fixture.

The 33-year-old has scored just three times in 13 appearances for Chelsea so far, though, and he will need to improve on that record to retain his position in the team for the long term.

LW – Raheem Sterling

Things have not gone completely to plan for the 28-year-old since his arrival at Stamford Bridge in the summer. After a strong start, his form has dropped off, with just one goal since September.

Sterling will be keen to get back contributing at the top end of the pitch and he may get his chance versus Bournemouth.