James And Azpilicueta To Start, Loftus Cheek And Christensen Out: Chelsea’s Predicted XI To Play Real Madrid

David Tully

2 years ago

Categories: Chelsea News, Galleries, Match Previews

Tags: Cesar Azpilicueta, Chelsea, Real Madrid, Reece James

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel would have been a lot happier with his players after they took apart Southampton at the weekend, but the task ahead of them at the Bernabeu this evening is still a daunting one.

Recovering a two-goal deficit away from home in a Champions League quarter-final is a huge challenge but not an insurmountable one, considering what we’ve seen from this team since Tuchel took charge fifteen months ago.

Defensively, they will have to be a lot better than they were at Stamford Bridge but some personnel changes from the first leg should help strengthen their backline.

Press the next page as we predict Chelsea’s starting lineup for the game tonight.

GK – Edouard Mendy

Made a very good stop to deny Che Adams from point-blank range against the Saints, but he didn’t have to do much else, which is probably just as well after his ricket last week.

Mendy will need to be back to his best if the Blues are to pull off a big result in Spain this evening. Hopefully, he is up to the task.

RWB – Reece James

Ruben Loftus-Cheek actually looks like he could do a decent job as a wingback on a regular basis with his performance against Southampton but Tuchel is likely to choose someone with a lot more experience of the position against Real.

James wasn’t particularly good in the first game at Stamford Bridge but, if Tuchel sticks with three at the back, then he is likely to be recalled.

CB – Cesar Azpilicueta

Tuchel has confirmed that the club captain has recovered from the virus and will be in contention to start tonight. Considering his leadership and defensive qualities, it would be a surprise if he is left out.

Whether Azpilicueta will be able to handle the pace of Vinicius, it is up for debate, but Tuchel won’t want to put Andreas Christensen up against the Brazilian again.

CB – Thiago Silva

The 37-year-old came off just after the hour mark against Southampton at the weekend, with the game having been won, so he should be pretty fresh for the match at the Bernabeu.

Silva would have been disappointed with the part he played in Karim Benzema’s second in the first leg and he will be determined that the Frenchman doesn’t get the better of him again.

CB – Antonio Rudiger

Pretty much normal service from the German at St Mary’s. A customary shot from distance and a couple of marauding runs forward into the opponent’s half.

Rudiger wasn’t troubled much defensively but he will definitely be tested more this evening, and hopefully, he’ll rise to the challenge.

LWB – Marcos Alonso

Chelsea need goals tonight so, even though his defensive qualities are pretty poor, the Spaniard’s ability to get forward and provide a threat from the left flank means he should be in the starting eleven to face Real.

After getting a goal against the Saints, Alonso’s confidence should be up too, and you wouldn’t bank against him getting on the scoresheet for a second successive game.

CM – Mateo Kovacic

The Croatian has to start in Madrid. His ability to keep possession and drive the ball forward should cause the likes of Modric and Kroos problems through the middle.

Kovacic’s energy and dynamism will also be needed to win the ball back and get his team on the front foot, in a game where they have to create chances if they want to get back into the tie.

CM – N’Golo Kante

The 31-year-old looked much more like his old self on Saturday and it will be hoped that he will carry that form with him to the Bernabeu.

Winning the ball back quickly and preventing Real from counter-attacking is crucial so Kante will, as always, have a vital role if the Blues are to come out on top.

AM – Mason Mount

Why some sections of the fanbase criticise him I will never know. 10 goals and 13 assists this season demonstrate what an important member of the team the England international is.

If Mount can produce the same display that he did against Southampton, there is a chance of turning this quarter-final tie around.

CF – Kai Havertz

The German is undoubtedly in the best form of his Chelsea career so far and long may it continue. Despite only playing 45 minutes, he still managed to get on the scoresheet at the weekend.

Havertz will surely get more chances to score this evening, and hopefully, he can come up with another big moment in a Blues shirt.

CF – Timo Werner

The German scored twice against the Saints but he could probably have had a few more as well, so it would be a surprise if Tuchel decides to drop him.

Consistency is key for Werner. There are some games where his touch deserts him but he is a goal threat so he should be in the starting lineup to face Real.