Rudiger, Giroud And Chilwell To Start, Ziyech On The Bench: Chelsea’s Predicted XI To Play Porto

David Tully

3 years ago

Tags: Anotnio Rudiger, Chelsea, Oliver Giroud, Porto

A 5-2 defeat at home to West Brom is hardly the ideal preparation ahead of a Champions League quarter-final, but manager Thomas Tuchel will still be confident of getting a result against Porto.

The Portuguese side are widely believed to be the weakest team left in the competition and, while Chelsea should not underestimate them, they will be favourites for tomorrow’s match.

N’Golo Kante is unlikely to be fit for the first leg, while Christian Pulisic is also a major doubt, but Tuchel does have plenty of options available to him.

So who will start tomorrow night’s game? Press the next page as we predict Chelsea’s starting eleven.

GK – Edouard Mendy

The Senegalese international didn’t have the best of games at the weeken, having been caught out by Matheus Pereira for the Brazilian’s first goal just before half time.

Mendy didn’t have much of a chance with the other four but he will be determined not to concede five goals again in a home game.

RWB- Callum Hudson-Odoi

Reece James wasn’t at his best against West Brom, and with just four days between the Baggies defeat and the Porto clash, Tuchel may well considering rotating his team.

With that in mind, Hudson-Odoi could return to the lineup, having been an unused substitute at the weekend.

CB – Cesar Azpilicueta

The Spaniard didn’t make any individual errors but the fact that Pereira scored twice and provided two assists from his side of the pitch tells you all you need to know.

Azpilicueta’s place could come under threat from Andreas Christensen, with the Danish international having performed well in the right-sided centre-back role in the FA Cup against Sheffield United.

CB – Thiago Silva

The Brazilian was clearly rusty in the opening stages of the loss to West Brom, and it was a surprise that he was given a start by Tuchel despite spending two months on the sidelines.

Even so, Silva was deservedly sent off for two stupid challenges and he will want to put in a better performance tomorrow night.

CB – Antonio Rudiger

The German has ruffled a few feathers again with his behaviour in training, but the 28-year-old has performed very well under Tuchel, and it would be a surprise if he doesn’t return to the starting line up against Porto.

Especially after conceding five goals in their last game, the Blues will want to keep things tight in the first leg at the Estadio do Dragao, and Rudiger could definitely help their cause.

LWB – Ben Chilwell

Marcos Alonso put in one of his worst performances under Thomas Tuchel versus the Baggies. The Spaniard’s lack of pace and poor defensive positioning were evident once again.

He was strong going forward as usual but his glaring deficiencies as a player are nothing new, so you would expect Chilwell to be given the nod ahead of him in Portugal.

CM – Mateo Kovacic

Despite being nearly as poor as Jorginho against West Brom, the Croatian international is likely to be handed another start on Wednesday.

Kovacic will certainly need to improve his passing and his defensive work if Chelsea are to get a result versus Porto.

CM – Jorginho

‘Abject’ would be the word to describe the Italian’s performance on Saturday and it was no surprise when he was hauled off midway through the second half with the score at 4-2.

Kante’s hamstring injury, though, would suggest Jorginho will get another chance tomorrow evening, although most fans would be hoping Tuchel goes with Billy Gilmour instead.

AM – Mason Mount

The 22-year-old was a live wire when he came on for the injured Christian Pulisic at the start of the second half on Saturday, scoring the Blues’ second goal.

Mount may be asked to play as the number ten in Portugal, much like he did in the first leg in the last round versus Atletico Madrid.

CF – Olivier Giroud

Tuchel has opted to use the Frenchman sparingly despite Chelsea having lacked goals when he hasn’t played in recent months.

Giroud did get the crucial goal against Atletico in the first leg of the round of 16 tie so Tuchel may have that in mind when he selects his side tomorrow night.

CF – Timo Werner

Even though the German international continues to struggle in front of goal, Tuchel has opted to keep faith with the striker, as he clearly appreciates the other qualities he can bring to the table.

Werner could be useful on the counter-attack tomorrow night, with the 25-year-old’s pace likely to be utilised in order to get in behind the opponent’s defence.