James To Start, Loftus Cheek And Kante On The Bench: Chelsea’s Predicted XI To Face Everton

Things are looking a lot more positive for Chelsea manager Graham Potter after successive wins against Leeds, Borussia Dortmund and Leicester City.

The most pleasing thing is not necessarily the results but the performances have been very good, which seems to suggest that Potter is finally getting his message across to the players.

This weekend’s game against Everton is an excellent chance to build on recent displays, but it still could be a tough game, with the Toffees coming into the match off the back of a confidence-boosting victory against Brentford.

Press the next page as we predict Chelsea’s starting lineup for Saturday’s fixture.

GK – Kepa Arrizabalaga

The Spaniard had an up and down game against Leicester last weekend. He made some decent saves, particularly in the first half.

However, once again, a long-range shot got the better of Kepa, which is clearly one of the main weaknesses in his game. Kalidou Koulibaly did obstruct his view but he could have done better. Similarly, he failed to deal with a corner in the second half, which could have led to a goal.

With Edouard Mendy now back in full training, the Blues’ current number one will know he’ll need to be at his best in upcoming matches to retain his position.

RWB – Reece James

The 23-year-old missed the trip to the King Power Stadium due to illness so he should be back in contention for Saturday’s game.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek did a solid, if not spectacular, job of filling in for James but Potter is expected to recall the wingback this weekend.

It really has been a stop-start campaign for the England international, and he will be aiming to stay 100% fit for the rest of the season.

CB – Wesley Fofana

The Frenchman put in yet another decent performance against the Foxes, and he certainly didn’t allow the boos to affect him as he returned to his old club.

Fofana could have added another goal to his name, only for his header to be saved by Leicester keeper Danny Ward. He is a big threat from set pieces, and that is somewhat surprising considering he had only scored three goals in his career before moving to Stamford Bridge.

With every passing game, the £75m spent on the 22-year-old is looking more and more justified. The key for him, of course, is to stay fit.

CB – Kalidou Koulibaly

The Senegalese international had a good game at the King Power, delivering an excellent assist for Ben Chilwell’s opener, but there are some question marks about his defending in the build-up to Daka’s goal.

There is no doubt that Koulibaly is finding it easier to play in the middle of a back three but you can’t see him keeping his place when Thiago Silva returns.

For the time being, though, the 31-year-old is doing his job well and putting in a shift for his team.

CB – Marc Cucurella

The Spaniard showed that his performance in the Champions League against Dortmund was not a one-off last weekend.

Cucurella wasn’t able to keep Kelechi Iheanacho quiet throughout the entire game, but he did enough to help close down attacks on his side of the pitch.

Benoit Badiashile has hardly put a foot wrong when he has been given opportunities so there is good competition between the Frenchman and Cucurella for the left-sided centre-back position.

LWB – Ben Chilwell

It’s fair to say that Potter may not be in a job now without the wingback’s contributions over the past few games.

Chilwell created the winner against Leeds, as well as playing his part in the build-up for the two goals versus Dortmund. In the Leicester match, he scored a fantastic volley and defended stoutly.

As with Fofana and James, the key for the 26-year-old is to maintain his fitness. Chelsea are a much better team when he is on the pitch.

CM – Mateo Kovacic

The Croatian international is very much back to his best, and he played an integral role in securing the three points against the Foxes last weekend.

Kovacic took his goal superbly but it was his all-round game that really stood out, and he will be keen to take that form into the Everton game on Saturday.

The Toffees are pretty strong in the middle of the park, with Amadou Onana, Idrissa Gueye and Abdoulaye Doucoure all very influential, so Kovacic’s performance will be crucial.

CM – Enzo Fernandez

The Argentine’s delightful chip pass for Kai Havertz’s goal was the highlight of his performance versus Leicester.

However, most of Fernandez’s work was done in deeper-lying areas at the King Power, controlling possession and dictating play in midfield.

It will be interesting to see how the 22-year-old copes with the physical test he will face at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

RW – Kai Havertz

The German took his goal expertly against Leicester and he seems to be playing with a confidence that has been lacking for most of the season.

Havertz has now scored in consecutive games for only the second time this campaign, and he will be looking to build on that this weekend.

Everton have conceded six goals in their last two away fixtures so there should be gaps for Havertz to exploit.

ST – Mykhailo Mudryk

The Ukrainian was selected out of position through the middle by Potter versus the Foxes, and he did get an assist for Kovacic’s goal.

Mudryk still doesn’t look fully up to speed, though, and he may only keep his place if Potter decides not to make too many changes after winning last time out.

Christian Pulisic could be considered as an alternative for the Everton match, along with Hakim Ziyech, so we shall see if Mudryk is given another opportunity to impress.

LW – Joao Felix

The Portuguese international was hauled off at half-time last weekend so there is a chance that he will be benched on Saturday.

However, Felix does offer a spark in attack that Chelsea’s other forwards lack so Potter may decide to keep faith in the 23-year-old for now.

Consistency is his main problem, but his poor work rate is also something that has to be addressed. His carelessness when giving the ball away before Daka’s equaliser was unacceptable.