Mount, Niguez And Lukaku To Start, Alonso And Werner Out: Chelsea’s Predicted XI To Play Leeds

David Tully

2 years ago

Categories: Chelsea News, Galleries, Match Previews

Tags: Chelsea, Leeds, Leeds United, Mason Mount

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel doesn’t really have the luxury of fielding a much-changed team ahead of the FA Cup final against Liverpool on Saturday, following the draw against Wolves.

With Champions League qualification still not secure, the Blues will need to have everyone available to face a Leeds side tomorrow, who are fighting for every point in a bid to avoid relegation.

It means the match at Elland Road won’t be a particularly easy fixture to negotiate, and Tuchel will have to tailor his team selection accordingly.

Press the next page as we predict Chelsea’s starting lineup for the game against Leeds tomorrow night.

GK – Edouard Mendy

The Senegalese international could not do a lot with Francisco Trincao’s curling effort from outside the box, or Conor Coady’s point-blank header, so no blame should be pinned on him for Wolves’ comeback.

Mendy will have to be on his toes with backpasses at Elland Road as Leeds are expected to press the ball very high up the pitch.

RWB – Reece James

The 22-year-old has gone off the boil in the last couple of games, but it is not all his own fault, with Tuchel constantly switching him from centre-back to wingback.

If James is allowed to settle back into his position on the right flank, we are sure to see the very best of him again very soon.

CB – Cesar Azpilicueta

Most would probably like Tuchel to start Trevoh Chalobah ahead of both Azpilicueta and Andreas Christensen, but Tuchel is not picking the 22-year-old, for whatever reason, at the moment.

With Christensen set to leave Stamford Bridge in the summer, it’s hard to see him starting for Chelsea again, so you would think that Azpilicueta will keep his place, despite being pretty poor, by his own standards, recently.

CB – Thiago Silva

The Brazilian was brilliant for most of the game against Wolves, but he didn’t cover himself in glory for Coady’s last gasp equaliser.

Silva can be forgiven for a lapse of concentration here and there, though, considering how many games he has been asked to play. There is a chance he could be rested tomorrow night, but will Tuchel trust Christensen with the responsibility?

CB – Antonio Rudiger

The German couldn’t get to Trincao in time before he unleashed his shot into the top left-hand corner on Saturday, but he wasn’t really at fault, it was just an excellent finish from the Portuguese winger.

Ahead of the FA Cup final, there is an argument for Rudiger to be rested, but does anyone really want to see Malang Sarr against Raphinha? No, I didn’t think so.

LWB – Saul Niguez

Tuchel was asked about the bust up with Marcos Alonso at his pre-match press conference, and suffice to say he wasn’t that forthcoming on what went on, other than saying the issue was “solved” at half-time against Wolves when the Spaniard was substituted.

That doesn’t sound like the two have made up. It looks likely that Alonso has played his final game for Chelsea, and Niguez will probably provide cover in the position ahead of the weekend.

CM – Mateo Kovacic

It appears both Jorginho and N’Golo Kante are unlikely to be fit to start at Elland Road, which means the Blues will probably have no choice but to select the same midfield two that faced Wolves.

Kovacic performed well alongside Loftus-Cheek in the 2-2 draw, so Tuchel may be happy to keep things as they are in the middle of the park tomorrow evening.

CM – Ruben Loftus-Cheek

The 26-year-old carried on from where he left off against Everton with his Wolves display, using his strength and dribbling ability to bypass opponents with ease.

There are some question marks about Loftus Cheek’s defensive capabilities but, with Kovacic able to cover the ground beside him, they seem to be a very good partnership.

AM – Mason Mount

After being rested versus Wolves, you would back the England international to come back into the starting eleven tomorrow.

Timo Werner was lively on Saturday but his poor finishing and decision-making means it’s hard to justify his inclusion in the lineup ahead of Mount.

CF – Romelu Lukaku

The Belgian actually looked like a £97.5m striker at the weekend, which has been a very rare occurrence this season. His brace should mean he keeps his place ahead of Kai Havertz for now.

Lukaku will need to maintain his level against Leeds, though, if he is to have any chance of starting the FA Cup final versus Liverpool.

CF – Christian Pulisic

The American looked like he had something to prove versus Wolves, after spending a number of weeks twiddling his thumbs on the bench. He was good at picking up balls in a deep-lying role last weekend but, if Mount is recalled as expected, he may need to play further forward.

It will be interesting to see whether Tuchel partners him with Lukaku or if he switches back to a front three at Elland Road.