Kante, Werner And Mendy To Start, Kovacic On the Bench: Chelsea’s Predicted XI To Face City

David Tully

3 years ago

Categories: Chelsea News, Galleries, Match Previews

Tags: Chelsea, Edouard Mendy, Manchester City, Mateo Kovacic, N'Golo Kante

Considering where they were in January, it is some achievement that Chelsea have made it all the way to a Champions League final.

All the credit has to go to manager Thomas Tuchel who has masterminded the turnaround since his arrival, but he won’t be satisfied unless they lift a trophy this weekend.

They will be facing a formidable challenge in Manchester City, but it is a one-off game and anything could happen on the night.

Press the next page as we predict Chelsea’s starting eleven for the match in Portugal on Saturday.

GK – Edouard Mendy

The rib injury that the 29-year-old sustained against Aston Villa on Sunday led many fans to be concerned about his place in the starting eleven this weekend.

However, Mendy returned to full training yesterday and he now seems set to start in goal in Porto, barring any late fitness scares.

RWB – Reece James

Tuchel’s decision to move the 21-year-old into the centre of defence over the last few weeks has left many supporters scratching their heads.

James’s aerial ability and physicality means he can play as a centre-half but he has been far more effective going forward as a wingback than Azpilicueta, so it will be hoped he is restored to his more natural position on Saturday.

CB – Cesar Azpilicueta

The club captain certainly didn’t have his finest game versus Aston Villa, culminating in him being sent off in the closing stages, but that is unlikely to affect Tuchel’s decision in terms of starting him against City.

Hopefully, Azpilicueta moves back into the centre of defence for this game, where he can make more telling contributions by keeping the likes of Raheem Sterling or Phil Foden quiet.

CB – Thiago Silva

The Brazilian was not at his sharpest at Villa Park, where he faced a troublesome opponent in Ollie Watkins, but he is unlikely to have the same problems this weekend.

City are not expected to play an out-and-out forward so Silva won’t have to go up against any player one-on-one. The false nine will, though, present its own challenges.

CB – Antonio Rudiger

The German is a reliable defender but he will have his work cut out when he faces an in-form Riyad Mahrez, who will try to get in behind him at every opportunity.

With Mahrez being almost exclusively left-footed, though, it is vital that Rudiger prevents the Algerian from being given any opportunities to cut in and shoot.

LWB – Ben Chilwell

One of the few players to come away with any credit from the Villa defeat, the 24-year-old got on the scoresheet and looked dangerous marauding on the left flank.

With the likes of Joao Cancelo and Mahrez to deal with, though, Chilwell will have a job on his hands defensively, and he will need strong support from those around him.

CM – N’Golo Kante

The Frenchman’s inclusion in the starting eleven appears crucial to Chelsea’s chances of securing the win in Porto, with Tuchel having emphasised the midfielder’s importance to the team.

Kante’s hamstring is a concern, but as it is the last game of the season, it is likely that he will be risked, even if he may not be able to last the 90 minutes.

CM – Jorginho

Most fans would favour Mateo Kovacic ahead of the Italian, considering his awful performance at Villa Park, but Tuchel is likely to stick by Jorginho.

The combination of Kante and Kovacic has only been used three times this year, and while some of that has been down to fitness, the feeling is the two players are too similar.

RW – Mason Mount

The 22-year-old didn’t have one of his best games against Villa, missing the Blues’ best chance in the first half, and he didn’t really make any real telling contributions from then on.

Even so, Mount has been, arguably, Chelsea’s best player this season, and he is almost certain to start in Portugal.

CF – Timo Werner

Tuchel continues to start the German international despite his inability to put the ball in the back of the net, so it seems he’ll be favoured ahead of Kai Havertz on Saturday.

Whether Werner can redeem himself by scoring a crucial goal in the final, after a disapppoint debut season, we shall have to wait and see.

LW – Christian Pulisic

It seems all of Tuchel’s wide players have gone off the boil at the same time, with Hakim Ziyech having failed to impress in recent games.

It would be a gamble to start Callum Hudson-Odoi considering he has hardly featured recently and, with Pulisic having contributed with an assist versus Villa, the American is the favourite to start this weekend.