Kovacic, Ziyech And Lukaku To Start, Mount On The Bench: Chelsea’s Predicted XI To Face Brighton

David Tully

2 years ago

Categories: Chelsea News, Galleries, Match Previews

Tags: Brighton, Chelsea, Hakim Ziyech, Mateo Kovacic, Romelu Lukaku

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel will be delighted by the character that his team showed as they came from 1-0 down to win against Aston Villa on Boxing Day.

The Blues boss had to make changes to affect the result, but his introduction of Romelu Lukaku at half-time paid off handsomely.

With just a three day turnaround, it will be interesting to see how Tuchel goes about his team selection for the Brighton clash. It should be pointed out that, with Thiago Silva and N’Golo Kante both injured, there will be some enforced changes anyway.

Press the next page as we predict the starting lineup for the match at Stamford Bridge tomorrow evening.

GK – Edouard Mendy

Didn’t look at his most athletic when he allowed Villa’s deflected goal to loop over him in the first half but, for the most part, he had a solid game on Sunday.

Brighton are usually quite shot-shy so, while Mendy will need to be on his toes tomorrow night, he shouldn’t have that much to do, as long as the defence does its job.

RWB – Reece James

Had a difficult time at Villa Park. His delivery into the box was uncharacteristically poor, and he headed the ball into his own net from a cross.

James looked pretty leggy near the end of the match at the weekend but it will be hoped that he will be able to start just 72 hours later against the Seagulls.

CB – Cesar Azpilicueta

This is a toss-up between Trevoh Chalobah and the Chelsea captain. Azpilicueta could be used at wingback if James isn’t fit but, assuming he is, the Spaniard’s experience may be better utilised in the back three with Silva sidelined.

It would be harsh on Chalaboh, who was also sacrificed at halftime against Villa so Tuchel could change his formation. We shall see who starts at Stamford Bridge tomorrow night.

CB – Andreas Christensen

Thiago Silva will likely be sidelined for at least a couple of weeks with a hamstring problem so Christensen will get his chance to start on a regular basis.

The Danish international has struggled for form in recent months and fans will be hoping he can up his game in Silva’s absence.

CB – Antonio Rudiger

The German was again solid on Sunday, and it’s unlikely he will be rested for the Brighton clash, despite the short turnaround in matches.

Malang Sarr would be the obvious alternative but he isn’t anywhere close to Rudiger’s level so expect the German international to play his second full 90 minutes in four days.

LWB – Marcos Alonso

The Spaniard was actually pretty decent against Villa, which is certainly a positive, considering how poor he has been in recent weeks.

With Lukaku expected to start against Brighton, the wingback will have a big target for his crosses. His delivery at the weekend wasn’t the best, though, and he needs to start providing better service.

CM – Jorginho

The Italian kept his composure when confronted with some rather underhand tactics from Villa keeper Emi Martinez in the lead up to the first penalty, and he wasn’t phased when dispatching his second either.

Nobody will be complaining if Jorginho does keep winning games for Chelsea from the spot, but it is still concerning that he is the club’s top scorer with nine this season.

CM – Mateo Kovacic

With Kante ruled out with a knee injury, the Croatian is the likeliest candidate to come into the starting eleven tomorrow evening.

Kovacic wasn’t as commanding as Kante after replacing him at Villa Park but the midfielder should get more joy on the ball against Brighton.

RW – Hakim Ziyech

Mason Mount was rather subdued by his standards on Sunday so, with just a few days between games, it may be wise to rotate the frontline.

Ziyech has looked good when selected in recent weeks, and it will be hoped he can create a chance or two against a packed Brighton defence tomorrow night.

CF – Romelu Lukaku

The Belgian changed the game after coming on versus Villa at half-time. He became the focal point of the attack, and his striker’s instinct was key in scoring a goal and winning a penalty.

Lukaku’s fitness is still believed to be a concern so don’t expect the 28-year-old to last the whole 90 minutes tomorrow.

LW – Callum Hudson-Odoi

The winger won the penalty for the equaliser and provided the assist for Lukaku to put Chelsea 2-1 up in the second half against Villa, so you’d expect him to keep his place for the Brighton clash.

Like Lukaku, Hudson-Odoi is working his way back to full fitness so he could be the one to make way for Ziyech, instead of Mount, but we shall see.