Ziyech, Koulibaly And Kovacic To Start, Madueke And Badiashile Out: Chelsea’s Predicted XI To Play Dortmund
Chelsea manager Graham Potter would have been disappointed with the way his side let West Ham back into the game at the weekend.
The Blues started the derby at the London Stadium strongly and could have been out of sight in the first 30 minutes but a goal against the run of the play dented the team’s confidence.
When players haven’t won in a while, that can happen, but Potter will be looking to focus on the positives from the performance. He’ll be hoping for a similarly strong start when they face Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday evening.
Press the next page as we predict Chelsea’s starting lineup for the Champions League round of 16 first leg.
GK – Kepa Arrizabalaga
The Spaniard put in a very assured display against the Hammers at the weekend.
Kepa saved smartly from Michail Antonio, whilst also pulling off a great stop to keep out Declan Rice’s effort in the second half.
Dortmund are the joint second-highest goalscorers in the Bundesliga this season so Kepa is likely to be pretty busy at Signal Iduna Park.
RB – Reece James
The 23-year-old will be disappointed that he allowed Emerson time at the back post to score West Ham’s equaliser on Saturday.
James did make up for it with an excellent tackle midway through the second half that prevented the Irons from taking the lead, but he will expect more from himself, especially going forward.
It can take time to return to match sharpness after so many injury problems but the fullback does seem to be getting better with every game.
CB – Thiago Silva
Fans will be delighted that the Brazilian veteran is staying at Stamford Bridge for another year after signing a contract extension.
Silva was assured and commanding as usual at the London Stadium and his experience will be vital in a hostile atmosphere against Dortmund.
The 38-year-old does need to be rested occasionally due to his age, but there’s no way that Potter will leave him out for this game.
CB – Kalidou Koulibaly
With Chelsea unable to register Benoit Badiashile for the Champions League, it means the Frenchman won’t be available for the trip to Germany.
Potter will have to make a decision between Koulibaly and Trevoh Chalobah as to who partners Silva in the centre of defence.
Despite struggling since his arrival from Napoli last summer, the 31-year-old is likely to be given the nod.
LB – Ben Chilwell
The anger directed towards Marc Cucurella after his performance at the weekend was a bit over the top, but he is likely to be benched for the Dortmund clash.
Chilwell looked much more effective in the final third of the pitch than his Spanish teammate when he came on against West Ham.
Although he may not last the full 90 minutes after recently returning from injury, he deserves to be recalled to the starting eleven.
CM – Mateo Kovacic
While Ruben Loftus-Cheek put in a solid performance on Saturday, he didn’t really do enough to convince that he should keep his place ahead of Kovacic.
The Croatian international has been back in full training for a number of days after recovering from a calf injury so he should be ready to face Dortmund.
If Kovacic is named in the lineup, it will be interesting to see if he can strike up a good partnership with Fernandez.
CM – Enzo Fernandez
The Argentinian international really shone on his second start for the Blues against the Hammers.
Fernandez not only delivered a pin-point cross for Joao Felix to score the opener, but he was also decent defensively with some good tackles and interceptions.
After spending £107m on the midfielder, Chelsea will be hoping he can produce that sort of performance, week in and week out.
AM – Joao Felix
The Portuguese international thrived in the opening stages at the London Stadium, and he clearly was given the freedom by Potter to make things happen in the no.10 role.
Felix took his goal expertly and he already seems very much at ease in his new surroundings, which bodes well for the future.
The 23-year-old gives the Blues a cutting edge in attack, which is something they lack without his presence.
RW – Hakim Ziyech
Noni Madueke may have faded as the match went on against West Ham but he was always very positive in possession.
As he isn’t in Chelsea’s Champions League squad, though, he will have to make way on Wednesday. Ziyech, Mason Mount and Conor Gallagher will be options that Potter will consider.
The Moroccan could well be the one to take Madueke’s place, having been in decent form in recent weeks.
ST – Kai Havertz
As has been the case throughout his Chelsea career so far, the German faded in and out of the game at the London Stadium.
Havertz nearly got on the scoresheet but he was narrowly caught offside after a neat reverse pass from Mykhailo Mudryk. He doesn’t make those sorts of runs in behind defence enough though.
With Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang not in the Champions League squad, Havertz is almost certain to start versus Dortmund.
LW – Mykhailo Mudryk
The Ukrainian had some good moments at the weekend, pressing high and winning the ball back before Felix’s goal, as well as winning a few fouls with his quick turn of speed.
As we’ve mentioned already, Mudryk was unlucky to have an assist for Havertz chalked off for offside, but he does need to get more involved in the game.
That will likely come as he gains a greater understanding of his teammates and it will be hoped he can also strike up a good partnership with Chilwell down the left flank.