Ziyech, Hudson Odoi And Alonso To Start, Pulisic On The Bench: Chelsea’s Predicted XI To Face Villarreal

David Tully

3 years ago

Categories: Chelsea News, Galleries, Match Previews

Tags: callum Hudson-odoi, Chelsea, Hakim Ziyech, Marcos Alonso, Villarreal

With some of Chelsea players having only just come back from holiday, manager Thomas Tuchel is likely to field a mixture of first-team stars and reserves against Villarreal in the UEFA Super Cup tomorrow night.

It may well be the Blues’ first chance to grab silverware this season but there are a few in the squad (especially the English and Italians) who haven’t played a preseason friendly yet.

Even so, the starting lineup that Tuchel fields will likely still be a very strong one, considering the depth that the German has at his disposal.

Press the next page as we predict Chelsea’s eleven to start the Super Cup at Windsor Park.

GK – Edouard Mendy

After a fine first season with the Blues, the Senegalese international will hope to carry that form with him into his second campaign at Stamford Bridge.

Tuchel may spring a surprise here and select Kepa, as he has been known to rotate his goalkeepers for cup competitions, but Mendy is the favourite to be given the nod.

RWB – Callum Hudson-Odoi

With Reece James having only recently returned to training, you would suspect that Hudson-Odoi will be handed a chance to impress at wingback once again.

The 20-year-old has a lot to prove this season, and there have been conflicting reports regarding whether he still has a future at the club.

CB – Cesar Azpilicueta

It does appear as though Chelsea are lining up a potential long-term replacement for the club captain, with negotiations taking place to sign Sevilla’s Jules Kounde.

However, at the present time, Azpilicueta is one of the first names on the teamsheet, with Tuchel trusting him implicitly on the right-hand side of a three-man defence.

CB – Andreas Christensen

Like Azpilicueta, the Dane returned to first-team training at the start of the month so you’d expect him to start ahead of Thiago Silva tomorrow.

As we saw in the Champions League final, Christensen is up to the task of filling the boots of the legendary Brazilian. He feels particularly at home in the middle of the back three.

CB – Antonio Rudiger

There has been some speculation over the German’s future this summer. He has less than a year remaining on his current contract and there are reports that he could be offloaded for the right price.

Rudiger is still a key player for Tuchel, though, and it is anticipated that he will be in the starting lineup at Windsor Park.

LWB – Marcos Alonso

The Spaniard started the last friendly against Tottenham last week and, with Ben Chilwell having only just returned to Cobham, you wouldn’t expect him to be put in straight away for a Super Cup final.

Alonso can do a job as a wingback so, while there will be a few fans who will raise an eyebrow about his selection, you wouldn’t bet against him putting in a decent display.

CM – N’Golo Kante

Not much more needs to be said about the Frenchman. Tuchel was waxing lyrical about the player this week and he will be integral to Chelsea’s chances of winning tomorrow night.

Kante’s work rate is incredible and, considering how much he has won in the game, his desire to win football matches seems to be stronger than ever.

CM – Mateo Kovacic

Jorginho’s exploits at the European Championships mean the Italian may well sit this one out. Kovacic will be the logical replacement alongside Kante.

The Croatian international performed well last campaign, but Jorginho’s performances in the closing weeks of the season meant his teammate’s displays were overshadowed.

RW – Hakim Ziyech

After scoring a double against Spurs in the last preseason friendly, Tuchel will feel that the Moroccan deserves the chance to show what he can do at Windsor Park.

Ziyech needs to prove himself to the Chelsea boss and there would be no better way of doing that than helping to win the Super Cup.

CF – Timo Werner

There is some talk that Romelu Lukaku could play, even though (at the time of writing) he hasn’t completed his move to Stamford Bridge. Even if his move is made official in time, though, it would be surprising to see him involved tomorrow.

If Lukaku doesn’t make it, Werner would be the likeliest to start in his place. The German really has it all to do in terms of turning his Chelsea career around. Getting his campaign up and running with an early goal could do him the world of good though.

LW – Kai Havertz

Christian Pulisic does also have a case to start, but Havertz seems to be the one likeliest to be given the nod, considering his presence in the front three for the last two friendlies.

With Mason Mount having only recently returned to training, the Englishman will probably be given a place on the bench, along with Pulisic.