Kovacic, Ziyech And Kante To Start, Werner And Loftus Cheek Out: Chelsea’s Predicted XI To Face Wolves

David Tully

2 years ago

Categories: Chelsea News, Galleries, Match Previews

Tags: Chelsea, Hakim Ziyech, Mateo Kovacic, Wolves

To put it bluntly, Chelsea need to pull their finger out and fast. The display against Everton last weekend was nowhere near good enough, and it raises major concerns about how they will perform in the final four league games.

Blues supporters should not have to be worrying about failing to qualify for the Champions League but, if they get things back on track against Wolves this weekend, then any doubts should be put to bed.

Whether we will get an improved performance, we shall see. Things are perfectly set up to secure the three points, with Wolves in very poor form at the moment but, as we saw versus Everton, things don’t always go by the form book.

Manager Thomas Tuchel will likely make a number of changes from that defeat at Goodison Park. Press the next page as we predict Chelsea’s starting lineup for Saturday.

GK – Edouard Mendy

The 29-year-old had very little to do against Everton last weekend, apart from picking the ball out of his own net, and he cannot be faulted for his performance.

Considering Wolves have not scored a goal since the beginning of last month, you would think that Mendy will be in for another quiet afternoon at Stamford Bridge.

RWB – Reece James

The wingback had an uncharacteristically poor match at Goodison, and he barely made an impact on proceedings, despite playing very well a few days earlier against United.

James is undoubtedly more effective out on the wing, rather than being deployed as one of the three centre-backs, so it will be hoped that Tuchel doesn’t change his position again.

CB – Cesar Azpilicueta

After the captain’s mistake against Everton, there are legitimate reasons why the Spaniard could be taken out of the team but, when you consider his possible replacements, it’s unlikely.

Andreas Christensen is back fit but his form, in general, has been poor, while Trevoh Chalobah has not got a look-in recently with Tuchel, somewhat unfairly, consigning him to bench duty.

CB – Thiago Silva

The Brazilian very rarely puts a foot wrong and, despite his teammates throwing one in against Everton, he was still performing at his very best.

Silva continues to defy expectations, as he shows no signs of slowing down, and fans will be delighted that he has committed to playing for at least another season with the Blues.

CB – Antonio Rudiger

The German wasn’t at his absolute best last Sunday, mainly due to picking up an early booking, but he was solid enough, preventing Everton from creating many clear-cut openings.

Wolves have mixed things up in terms of playing with a front two or front three in recent games but you are confident that, whoever he comes up against, Rudiger will be able to keep them quiet.

LWB – Marcos Alonso

After being given the freedom of Old Trafford last week, the Spaniard had far fewer opportunities to get forward against Everton at the weekend.

With Wolves playing a similar system to Chelsea, though, Alonso will be going up one-on-one against his opposing wingback, Nelson Semedo, so it will be interesting to see who comes out the winner in that battle.

CM – Mateo Kovacic

Jorginho was forced off at half-time at Goodison Park and, despite not being 100% fit, Kovacic had to play 45 minutes on Sunday. He didn’t really make much of an impression.

Hopefully, with a full week’s training under his belt, the Croatian can add a bit of energy to proceedings with his ball-carrying abilities on Saturday.

CM – N’Golo Kante

The Frenchman missed the clash against the Toffees with a minor knock, and Tuchel says he is hopeful of having the midfielder back for this weekend.

While Loftus-Cheek performed well last Sunday, his work rate is nowhere near as high as Kante’s. The 31-year-old will be needed to stop the likes of Ruben Neves and Joao Moutinho controlling the match in the middle of the park

RW – Hakim Ziyech

Chelsea’s front three was bereft of creativity at Goodison, and the Moroccan is someone who can pick out a pass, and create something from nothing, so he does warrant a recall.

It’s clear, however, that Tuchel doesn’t completely trust Ziyech and, if he doesn’t start this weekend, it does suggest he will be one of the players moving on this summer.

CF – Kai Havertz

With Romelu Lukaku having failed to even make it off the bench on Sunday, it would be a surprise if the Belgian starts any matches between now and the end of the season.

Havertz didn’t have his finest game against Everton. He was more interested in fighting with Yerry Mina than actually playing football, but he is the first choice centre-forward currently.

LW – Mason Mount

With Timo Werner and Havertz putting in anonymous displays at Goodison Park, it wasn’t hard for Mount to stand out, but he did at least possess a goal threat.

Mount was unlucky with a shot that came off both posts, and he was certainly a lot livelier than some of his teammates. He may keep his place ahead of Christian Pulisic (another player who seems to be out of favour under Tuchel).