Pulisic And Kante To Start, Werner And Jorginho Drop Out: Chelsea’s Predicted XI To Play Spurs

David Tully

3 years ago

Categories: Chelsea News, Galleries, Match Previews

Tags: Chelsea, Christian Pulisic, N'Golo Kante, Spurs

Chelsea were dominant in the 2-0 win over Burnley at the weekend and Thomas Tuchel would have been happy with what he saw from his players.

They face a slightly trickier game versus Tottenham later this week, and it will be interesting to see how the new-look Blues perform in a big London derby under their new manager.

Tuchel is expected to keep with the 3-4-3 / 3-5-2 formation he has used against Wolves and Burnley but he does have a tendency to rotate his team.

So who will be in the starting lineup on Thursday? Press the next page as we predict Chelsea’s eleven.

GK – Edouard Mendy

The 28-year-old didn’t have anything to do against Burnley, with the Clarets having just one attempt on goal all game, and that wasn’t even on target.

Mendy will be expected to be tested more on Thursday night, although without Harry Kane, Spurs’s attack will be blunted somewhat.

RWB- Callum Hudson-Odoi

Tuchel has surprised many with his decision to select the 20-year-old as a wingback in his first two games in charge but the winger has taken to the position like a duck to water.

Whether Reece James will get his chance to stake a claim for the position at some point, we shall have to wait and see, but it is Hudson Odoi’s to lose currently.

CB – Cesar Azpilicueta

A surprise scorer as he bagged the opening goal against Burnley at the weekend, it seems the skipper will be utilised more regularly by Tuchel.

Azpilicueta looks a lot more comfortable playing in a back three; a role he excelled in during Chelsea’s last league-winning season back in 2017.

CB – Thiago Silva

Handled Burnley forwards Chris Wood and Matej Vydra well and, without Kane, you would expect him to have another dominant game versus Tottenham on Thursday.

Whether Tuchel will opt to rest Silva at some point, we shall see. The Spurs clash will be his third game in eight days.

CB – Antonio Rudiger

Back in favour under Tuchel, it looks like the German international will be above the likes of Kurt Zouma and Andreas Christensen for selection in key fixtures.

Like Silva, he had no issues with Wood or Vydra, and he also marshalled Jay Rodriguez expertly when he came on for the Clarets on Sunday. Another start is expected for Rudiger at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

LWB – Ben Chilwell

It will be interesting to see whether Marcos Alonso keeps his place after scoring in the Burnley win but, with Spurs providing more of an attacking threat, Tuchel may decide to go with the more defensively-minded Chilwell instead.

The England international may not be as effective as Alonso going forward but his all-round game is superior to the Spaniard.

CM – Mateo Kovacic

Having started both of Tuchel’s first two games in charge, the Croatian international appears poised to play a prominent role in the coming weeks for the Blues.

Kovacic’s lack of penetration means he doesn’t always stand out but he is consistent with his passing and is always available to receive the ball.

CM – N’Golo Kante

After returning to the bench at the weekend following a hamstring injury, the Frenchman could well be recalled to the starting eleven for the game against Spurs.

Jorginho has started both of Tuchel’s matches so far but the Italian international may have to make way in order to accommodate Kante.

RW – Mason Mount

The 22-year-old started in the number 10 role versus Burnley and, while he was a threat, he was rather wasteful at times, especially in the first half.

Tuchel may opt to rotate him with Kai Havertz but Mount’s performances this season have been more impressive than the German international, so the Englishman could keep his place in the side.

CF – Olivier Giroud

The disappointing performances of both Tammy Abraham and Timo Werner against Burnley mean Giroud is in line to be recalled for the Spurs clash.

Although the Frenchman wasn’t that impressive himself in the previous fixture versus Wolves, his finishing is definitely more consistent and reliable.

LW – Christian Pulisic

The American international made a good impression after coming on at half time at the weekend. He linked up well with his teammates and provided the assist for Alonso’s goal.

After Tuchel left Pulisic on the bench for his first two games in charge, the winger is very likely to be given a start on Thursday evening.