Mendy And Thiago Silva To Start, Alonso And Kepa Dropped: Chelsea’s Predicted XI To Face Southampton

David Tully

3 years ago

Categories: Chelsea News, Galleries, Match Previews

Tags: Chelsea, Edouard Mendy, Thiago Silva

Chelsea’s win against Newcastle on Monday has moved the Blues back into the Champions League places and manager Thomas Tuchel will be keen to stay there by getting another result versus Southampton this weekend.

The Saints are in freefall at the moment, having lost their last six matches in all competitions, so this should be the perfect time to play them.

Tuchel’s rotation policy means it has been very difficult to predict his starting lineups recently but we shall do our best at taking a guess at his eleven for the match at St Mary’s.

Press the next page as we name our lineup for Saturday lunchtime’s game.

GK – Edouard Mendy

Kepa was handed a surprise start by Tuchel against Newcastle but Tuchel has insisted that Mendy remains his number one goalkeeper.

We will take the German’s word on that so we fully expect the Senegalese international to be recalled on Saturday.

RWB- Reece James

Tuchel has been rotating his wingbacks since his arrival at Stamford Bridge and, with Callum Hudson-Odoi having started on Monday, it could mean a recall for James.

The 21-year-old did look impressive when he came on versus the Magpies, nearly getting on the scoresheet straight away, so the defender may be in line for a start this weekend.

CB – Cesar Azpilicueta

The Chelsea captain has been ever-present since Tuchel’s appointment and the Spaniard looks comfortable playing in the right centre-back role.

Azpilicueta’s experience and consistency has shone through over the past few weeks, and he is unlikely to be taken out of the team any time soon.

CB – Thiago Silva

Tuchel has previously said that the Brazilian international should be ready to return this weekend after recovering from a thigh muscle injury.

Andreas Christensen has done well in Silva’s absence but if he is ready to start, the veteran is very likely to be included in the starting eleven.

CB – Antonio Rudiger

Like Azpilicueta, Rudiger has been given a new lease of life under Tuchel, with the German international being given the responsibility of the left centre-back role.

Supporters remain unconvinced about the defender, but it seems he will continue to be an important first-team player for the rest of the season.

LWB – Ben Chilwell

Marcos Alonso was again favoured ahead of the England international for the Newcastle clash but Chilwell’s defensive qualities will likely be needed against Southampton.

The Saints are pretty strong on the right flank, and Tuchel will want someone like Chilwell who can snuff out the danger posed by the opposition.

CM – Mateo Kovacic

The Croatian international has rediscovered the form that made him one of the standout players in Frank Lampard’s first season in charge.

Tuchel has expressed his admiration for Kovacic’s work ethic and the 26-year-old is expected to play a key role between now and the end of the campaign.

CM – Jorginho

The Italian international hasn’t done anything out of the ordinary since the arrival of Tuchel but his passing ability has helped Chelsea dominate possession, even after a switch to a two-man midfield.

Jorginho is currently keeping out the likes of N’Golo Kante and Billy Gilmour so he is obviously doing something right to keep his place in the side.

RW – Mason Mount

The attacking midfielder didn’t have one of his best games against Newcastle but it would be a surprise if he was benched for a difficult away fixture.

Mount’s work rate and energy to press the ball will be needed, and it may get him the nod ahead of the likes of Christian Pulisic, Hakim Ziyech and Callum Hudson-Odoi.

CF – Olivier Giroud

The France international opened the scoring on Monday night, after replacing the injured Tammy Abraham in the first half, so he took his chance when it was handed to him.

It would, therefore, be a surprise if Tuchel doesn’t give Giroud a start against Southampton this weekend as a reward for his performance.

LW – Timo Werner

After breaking his goalscoring duck in the Premier League, the best thing to do would be to keep playing Werner so his confidence increases.

The German looked sharp against Newcastle and he will be keen to build on that display versus the Saints on Saturday.