Lukaku Dropped; Havertz, Werner And Mount To Start: Chelsea’s Predicted XI To Face Brighton

David Tully

2 years ago

Categories: Chelsea News, Galleries, Match Previews

Tags: Brighton, Chelsea, Kai Havertz, Mason Mount, Romelu Lukaku, timo werner

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel was not particularly complimentary about Romelu Lukaku and his other attacking players after they failed to threaten Manchester City’s goal in the 1-0 defeat at the weekend.

The setback at the Etihad means it hard to see how the Blues will get back into the title race, unless the Citizens suffer a significant loss of form, which seems unlikely at the moment.

Even so, the season will go on and Tuchel’s men will face Brighton this evening at the Amex Stadium. The Seagulls have only lost four times in 20 league matches but they are the draw specialists so expect a tight game.

Press the next page as we predict Chelsea’s starting lineup for tonight’s match.

GK – Kepa Arrizabalaga

Questions will be raised as to why the Spaniard took a step to the right before De Bruyne’s winner. He wasn’t in a position to save the shot after making the error.

However, Kepa still looks a lot more confident than he did last season, and his recent performances have meant that the Blues haven’t missed Edouard Mendy as much as some fans feared.

RWB – Callum Hudson-Odoi

With the Seagulls playing the same formation as Chelsea, this should allow Tuchel to be more attacking with his selection at right-wingback.

Especially considering their lack of creativity against City, adding in another forward option like Hudson-Odoi should hopefully improve the team in the final third of the pitch.

CB – Cesar Azpilicueta

Considering he did look pretty tired by the end of the City game, there is a case to be made for the club captain to be rested for the Brighton clash.

However, Azpilicueta may be shifted further infield to deal with the threat posed by the in-form Leandro Trossard, as well as Neal Maupay.

CB – Thiago Silva

The Brazilian continues to impress with his fitness levels, and you would back him to start again this evening, helping to marshal the defence.

With Silva’s presence providing the team with a strong foundation, Tuchel will be reluctant to rest him. Considering the next fixture is against Tottenham on Sunday, it should give the 37-year-old enough time to recover.

CB – Antonio Rudiger

The German was deployed on the right side of the back three at the weekend but, if Azpilicueta moves infield, it could mean that Rudiger is switched back to his regular spot on the left.

He never lets the side down, and fans will be hoping that he can agree a new contract with the club, despite reported talks about a move away from Stamford Bridge.

LWB – Marcos Alonso

The Spaniard simply couldn’t cope with Raheem Sterling and it was a surprise that he lasted as long as he did before Tuchel decided to sub him ten minutes from the end.

Alonso’s presence in the starting eleven is simply down to a lack of other options. Bringing in a new signing before the transfer window closes is absolutely vital.

CM – Jorginho

The Italian started on the bench against City so, for that reason alone, you would have to think that he will be recalled to face Brighton.

N’Golo Kante wasn’t at his best on Saturday at the Etihad so the Frenchman would be the favourite to make way for Jorginho tonight.

CM – Mateo Kovacic

The Croatian did give away a ball in the first half that led to a chance for Jack Grealish. Luckily, he was bailed out by Kepa’s save.

Kovacic was one of the better performers, despite that lapse of judgement, though, so you expect him to keep his place ahead of Kante.

RW – Mason Mount

Tuchel explained the midfielder’s absence against City by saying that the player did not look 100% and he decided to go with other options.

Mount was reportedly unhappy about being left out and he will be chomping at the bit to make an impression if he is recalled for the match at the Amex.

CF – Kai Havertz

Romelu Lukaku was wasteful with Chelsea’s two best openings of the game at the weekend, and Tuchel wasn’t happy with his all-round contribution either.

Combined with the fact that the Belgian has started the last four matches in all competitions, he could well be rested, with Havertz coming back into the team.

LW – Timo Werner

Christian Pulisic and Hakim Ziyech were particularly poor against City so it seems likely that the German forward will come back into the reckoning to face the Seagulls.

Werner’s pace should prove useful against what is a pretty slow Brighton backline. He could be an excellent option on the counter-attack this evening.