Kovacic Starts, Pulisic Misses Out: Chelsea’s Predicted XI To Face Sheffield United

David Tully

3 years ago

Tags: Chelsea, Christian Pulisic, Mateo Kovacic, Sheffield United

Chelsea manager Frank Lampard will be delighted with how things have gone in recent weeks. After an indifferent start to the campaign, things have finally started to come together with three wins in a row

The Blues will be coming up against a Sheffield United side who are in desperate form currently. Chris Wilder’s men have taken just one point from their opening seven league games this season.

Appearances can be deceiving, though. The Blades were very competitive in their defeats to Liverpool and Manchester City so Chelsea will need to be fully concentrated in order to get the three points.

So, who will start at Stamford Bridge tomorrow? Press the next page as we predict the starting eleven.

GK – Edouard Mendy

Another clean sheet against his former club Rennes in the week means the Senegalese international has now only conceded one goal in his first seven appearances for the Blues.

Considering Sheffield United’s poor record in front of goal this campaign, Mendy could well be in line for another shut out this weekend.

RB – Reece James

The 20-year-old has now firmly established himself in the pecking order ahead of club captain Cesar Azpilicueta. Lampard could consider some rotation against the Blades but the fullback is in great form.

James delivered a number of excellent crosses against Rennes and Tammy Abraham duly got on the end of one to seal the 3-0 win.

CB – Thiago Silva

Lampard is trying to manage the Brazilian’s game time and the fact that he was taken off after 68 minutes against Rennes suggests that the centre-back will be in the starting line up tomorrow.

Silva’s composure and experience makes him a vital player, and he has played a key role in the Blues’ much improved defensive displays in recent weeks.

CB – Kurt Zouma

The Frenchman looks much more comfortable when playing alongside an experienced head like Silva, and they are now Lampard’s go-to centre-back pairing.

Sheffield United will present more of an aerial threat than recent opponents but you would expect Zouma will be up to the challenge.

LB – Ben Chilwell

Was caught out defensively at times against Rennes but the England international was again impressive in the final third of the pitch.

Chilwell’s link-up play with Werner, in particular, was promising and we may see more of it against the Blades this weekend.

CM – N’Golo Kante

The France international has upped his game in recent weeks. He didn’t have the best of first halves on Wednesday night but he was superb at mopping up danger in the second 45 minutes.

Kante is unlikely to be rested anytime soon but his boundless energy will likely help him through the congested fixture schedule.

CM – Mateo Kovacic

Jorginho may have captained the side against Rennes but his passing was pretty poor considering it is supposed to be one of his main attributes.

With that being the case, Kovacic deserves to get his chance to start. The Croatian has barely featured recently and he does merit more game time.

AM – Mason Mount

With Kai Havertz sidelined, the 21-year-old will likely deputise in the number 10 role once again tomorrow. However, he didn’t have his best game on Wednesday night as he found it difficult to find space.

Lampard rarely takes Mount out of the starting line up, though, so you would expect him to be named in the eleven against the Blades.

RW – Hakim Ziyech

After some stellar displays in recent games, the winger put in a more subdued performance versus Rennes. The Moroccan will need to show he is a consistent performer if he is to keep his place in the team.

Christian Pulisic’s hamstring problem will likely see him miss out on the starting line up but the American, along with Callum Hudson-Odoi, will be breathing down Ziyech’s neck.

CF – Tammy Abraham

After scoring midweek, it would be a surprise if Lampard takes him out of the starting eleven this weekend. It may partly depend on the fitness of Pulisic as Timo Werner could be moved centrally to accommodate the return of the American.

Lampard may, though, want Abraham in the team anyway in order to occupy Sheffield United’s three centre-backs.

LW – Timo Werner

Added two more goals to his season total against Rennes and looked sharp for most of the night. Whether he’ll continue playing on the left-hand side for the long term, we shall have to wait and see.

Some rotation may be required at some point with Werner having started 11 of Chelsea’s 12 games so far this campaign but, with the international break coming up, Lampard is unlikely to take him out of the side tomorrow.