Pulisic And Rudiger To Start, Silva And Havertz On The Bench: Chelsea’s Predicted Line Up To Face Wolves

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3 years ago

Categories: Chelsea News, Galleries, Match Previews

Tags: Chelsea, Christian Pulisic, Kai Havertz, Thiago Silva, Wolves

After the disappointing display at Goodison Park at the weekend, Chelsea manager Frank Lampard will be keen to get back to winning ways as soon as possible when they face Wolves tonight.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side are coming into the match after back to back defeats against Liverpool and Aston Villa so this could be the perfect time to go to Molineux.

It certainly won’t be an easy game, though, and Lampard will know they will need a big improvement on the performance they put in versus Everton on Saturday.

Press the next page as we go through our predicted starting line up for the match this evening.

GK – Edouard Mendy

The Frenchman made his first error by giving away the penalty against the Toffees but all keepers make mistakes and the 28-year-old has a lot of credit in the bank considering his start to life at Stamford Bridge.

Fans will be hoping that Mendy doesn’t make a habit of rushing out like that, though, and that he puts in a more composed display at Molineux.

RB – Reece James

The 20-year-old was superb once again versus Everton. He was undoubtedly the Blues’ best player on the night and he will be looking to keep Pedro Neto quiet.

Undoubtedly, James will also be a threat in the opposition half as well, making overlapping runs and delivering balls into the box.

CB – Antonio Rudiger

Lampard has been managing Thiago Silva’s game time since he arrived on a free transfer so there is a strong possibility that the Brazilian will be rested once more this evening.

Rudiger appears to be the third choice centre-back at the moment so the German international would be the favourite to come in for this game.

CB – Kurt Zouma

Was solid enough against Dominic Calvert-Lewin and he should be able to boss a young, inexperienced striker in Fabio Silva if the teenager starts tonight.

If Silva is sidelined, Zouma will need to take on some extra responsibility alongside Rudiger to keep Wolves’ front three quiet.

LB – Ben Chilwell

The England international struggled versus Alex Iwobi and, while the Nigerian can be a handful when he is at his best, it was still a disappointing performance from the left-back.

Things won’t get any easier this evening as Chilwell is expected to come up against the lightning-quick Adama Traore. It will be interesting to see how he copes.

CM – N’Golo Kante

Not at his most imposing against Everton, but the 29-year-old should be able to get on top in the middle of the park tonight if Wolves go with a two-man midfield once again.

Kante will be a big reason if Chelsea do go on to dominate possession and dictate the game for long stretches.

CM -Mateo Kovacic

The Croatian was neat and tidy versus the Toffees but Lampard will want to see more of him in terms of breaking the press and making forward runs.

Kovacic has undoubted ability but the fact that he doesn’t always play to his strengths makes him a frustrating player to watch at times.

AM – Mason Mount

The 21-year-old missed a couple of decent chances at Goodison Park and if he is going to keep his role as an attacking midfielder, he needs to make the most of the opportunities presented to him.

There is much to admire about Mount’s work rate and neat link-up play but, with just one goal so far this season, it would be nice to see him become more clinical.

RW – Christian Pulisic

It could be a risk to start him but, with the American international picking up regular injuries, Lampard may as well select when he is available.

Especially with Kai Havertz struggling, and not comfortable playing out wide, the German could be benched in favour of Pulisic tonight.

CF – Olivier Giroud

The Frenchman didn’t have a particularly good game at Goodison Park and he will know that he could quickly be back on the bench if he doesn’t continue his recent red-hot form.

Lampard may favour Giroud ahead of Tammy Abraham for the Wolves clash, but we shall have to wait and see.

LW – Timo Werner

Having to do a job out wide at the moment, and the German isn’t looking that comfortable in the role. The forward is not as involved as he would like to be and, when he gets his chances in front of goal, he is snatching at them.

Werner will probably be hoping that Ziyech and Hudson-Odoi return as soon as possible so Lampard can move him back centrally.