Sterling And Koulibaly To Start, Chilwell On The Bench: Chelsea’s Predicted XI To Take On Everton

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2 years ago

Categories: Chelsea News, Galleries, Match Previews

Tags: Chelsea, Everton, Kalidou Koulibaly, Raheem Sterling

Chelsea haven’t had the perfect preparation heading into their first competitive game of the campaign, with transfer speculation and poor pre-season results making it hard to gauge where Thomas Tuchel’s team is at.

However, they will be coming up against an Everton side on Saturday evening that have problems of their own. Frank Lampard has had a very challenging summer, to say the least, and he will be facing his former club without a recognised striker.

The signs do point towards a Chelsea victory, but Goodison Park isn’t exactly a happy hunting ground for the Blues, who lost 1-0 in the same fixture back in May.

Press the next page as we name Thomas Tuchel’s starting eleven for the game this weekend.

GK – Edouard Mendy

With Kepa Arrizbalaga said to be poised to sign for Napoli, Mendy is set to become the undisputed number one in all competitions this season.

The Senegalese international was not as consistent with his shot-stopping in his second campaign at Stamford Bridge but his position as first choice is well earned.

RWB – Reece James

It will be interesting to see how Tuchel deploys the defender over the course of the season. There has been talk that a new wingback could be brought in, with the likes of Denzel Dumfries and Kyle Walker-Peters having been linked.

James could, therefore, play more games as a centre-half, although many feel that the Blues would be unwise to curtail his attacking instincts.

CB – Cesar Azpilicueta

There has been a lot of speculation about the captain’s future, with a move to Barcelona having been in the works for a while, but he now looks set to stay at Stamford Bridge

Even though Azpilicueta will likely start this weekend, he may be used more sparingly going forward With Marc Cucurella expected to join the cluv soon. The 23-year-old could be asked to play left centre-back, with Koulibaly switching sides.

CB – Thiago Silva

The Brazilian will once again be a key player for the Blues this season, despite the fact that he will turn 38 next month.

Silva’s experience alongside Koulibaly should provide Tuchel with a very strong foundation to build from, if he can bring in some further reinforcements between now and the end of the transfer window.

CB – Kalidou Koulibaly

The Senegalese colossus has everything to succeed in the Premier League, so fans shouldn’t worry too much about there being any sort of adaptation period.

Koulibaly has excellent anticipation, physical strength and aerial ability, which are all excellent traits to have no matter what country you play in.

LWB – Marcos Alonso

With Ben Chilwell having not been a regular starter in pre-season, it appears the 25-year-old will be eased back into things, so Alonso seems to be the favourite to start against Everton.

The Spaniard could well leave Stamford Bridge before the end of the month, with Cucurella being lined up as his replacement.

CM – N’Golo Kante

The Frenchman could be starting his final season with Chelsea, as there has been no word on whether he will be handed a contract extension by the club.

Kante has less than a year remaining on his current deal, but he will give everything to the cause regardless, so expect him to be closing down opponents right across the pitch at Goodison.

CM – Jorginho

The Italian is in a similar situation to Kante in regards to his contract, and he continues to be linked with a return to Italy.

Especially as the club are said to be pursuing Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong, Jorginho’s days as a regular starter for Chelsea do look numbered, but it would be a surprise if he doesn’t start this weekend.

RW – Mason Mount

The attacking midfielder will be a mainstay of the starting eleven throughout the campaign, and his performances will be crucial to getting points on the board.

Mount’s link-up play with the likes of Raheem Sterling and Kai Havertz has to be on point or there is a danger that the Blues’ attack could be blunted by Everton’s defence on Saturday.

CF – Kai Havertz

With Romelu Lukaku out of the picture, the German does have the opportunity to start week in, week out. Whether he will take his chance, though, is another matter.

Havertz’s form can be flaky. Some days he can be excellent and at other times, he is very frustrating to watch. Tuchel will be looking to get more consistency from the forward in the coming weeks and months.

LW – Raheem Sterling

A lot is riding on the 27-year-old coming in and hitting the ground running. Chelsea’s frontline has been lacking goals and the winger has been brought in to correct that problem.

Sterling’s speed and flexibility means he should offer something different in attack, especially against opponents who sit deep.