Ziyech In, James Still Out: Chelsea’s Predicted XI To Face Manchester City

David Tully

3 years ago

Categories: Chelsea News, Galleries, Match Previews

Tags: Chelsea, Hakim Ziyech, Manchester City, Reece James

Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has admitted that the Blues are going through a difficult period at the moment, following their draw against Aston Villa on Monday.

Things won’t get any easier when they face Manchester City this weekend. The Citizens may be somewhat depleted, depending on how many players have been sidelined with the virus, but they will be a big threat whatever team they put out.

Chelsea will have had a six-day gap since the Villa game, and fatigue shouldn’t really play much of a role, so Lampard’s side won’t have too many excuses if they put in another below-par performance.

So who will start for the Blues on Sunday? Press the next page as we go through our predicted eleven.

GK – Edouard Mendy

His performance against Villa was somewhat concerning. He punched nervously from a cross and he probably should have done better for Anwar El Ghazi’s equaliser.

Mendy will need to be at his best this weekend as City will definitely have quite a few attempts on goal.

RB – Cesar Azpilicueta

It has been confirmed by Lampard that Reece James is out of contention as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury, so Azpilicueta will deputise once again.

The club captain struggled against El Ghazi and Grealish versus Villa and things won’t get any easier as he goes up against Raheem Sterling on Sunday.

CB – Kurt Zouma

Surprisingly rested by Lampard for the Villa game, the Frenchman will surely be recalled for the City clash to add some greater solidity to the backline.

Zouma’s threat from set-pieces in the opposition box was also noticeably missing during the draw on Monday night.

CB – Thiago Silva

The Brazilian veteran’s absence against the Villans was much less surprising than the decision to rest Zouma as Lampard continues to manage the 36-year-old’s game time.

Having had the best part of eight days to recover by Sunday, Silva should be fresh to come back into the starting line up.

LB – Ben Chilwell

After putting in a poor performance against Arsenal, the 23-year-old bounced back instantly with a top-drawer display versus Villa.

Chilwell provided the assist for Olivier Giroud’s opener and narrowly missed with a superb effort late on which could have won the game for Chelsea. Lampard will be hoping for more of the same this weekend.

CM – Mason Mount

Lampard’s Duracell bunny, the midfielder never looks tired despite playing the full 90 minutes for the Blues in every game during the festive period.

Mount is a nailed-on starter for the City clash, and his work rate will be needed as Chelsea look to break up their opponent’s possession game and rhythm.

DM – N’Golo Kante

Always looks more effective in the deeper-lying midfield role, his ability to break up play will be absolutely vital against City, who will look to control the game in the middle of the park.

Kante’s energy and ability to press and harry opponents will be needed more than ever on Sunday evening.

CM – Kai Havertz

Chelsea spent £72m on the German international to make an impact in the big games so, while Lampard hasn’t picked him to start recently, this could be the match we see him return to the starting line up.

The Blues boss could still opt for the industry which Mateo Kovacic provides but Havertz offers much more going forward.

RW – Hakim Ziyech

Lampard has confirmed that the Moroccan international has been back in training for the last couple of days. The winger could be brought straight back into the eleven to provide the creativity that Chelsea have been desperately lacking in recent weeks.

Ziyech is returning from a hamstring problem, though, and he may not be risked if there is any concern of him suffering a recurrence.

CF – Olivier Giroud

The Frenchman scored once again versus Villa so you would expect that he will be given the nod to start on Sunday. However, this is a toss-up between him and Tammy Abraham.

Lampard has been rotating the two strikers so there is no guarantee that Giroud will be in the eleven this weekend, despite being in red-hot form.

LW – Christian Pulisic

Timo Werner is struggling for form, while Callum Hudson-Odoi didn’t do enough against Villa to suggest he merits another start, so the American is the favourite to keep his place in the team.

Pulisic was very lively on Monday night, and his recent performances suggest he will cause City a lot of problems from the left-hand side.