Centre-back decision made, N’Golo Kante benched – Predicted Chelsea team vs Everton

What a distinction a 12 months makes. Twelve months in the past on today, Chelsea took on Everton at a packed Stamford Bridge and produced one of the vital convincing performances of Frank Lampard’s tenure, defeating Carlo Ancelotti’s aspect 4-0.

The identical fixture is to be performed this night within the Premier League however issues might be very, very totally different. Stamford Bridge might be empty attributable to Covid-19 restrictions and Lampard won’t be within the dugout having been sacked in January.

In the membership legend’s place will stand Thomas Tuchel. The German coach took cost of Chelsea on January 26 and has turned the Blues’ stuttering kind round.

They are unbeaten in ten matches, the latest of which was a powerful 1-0 victory in opposition to Liverpool at Anfield on Thursday night.

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That victory noticed Chelsea transfer again into the Premier League high 4. And if they will defeat fifth-placed Everton tonight, they may open up a small however significant hole to the opposite sides within the hunt for a Champions League place.

“Everton had a really sturdy begin to season, had an enormous win at Anfield, and have saved their momentum going,” Tuchel stated forward of the sport. “They have a really sturdy squad, very bodily, stuffed with expertise.

“They have gotten sturdy strikers, a harmful quantity ten with James [Rodriguez], sturdy skilled gamers, and a super-strong supervisor on the sidelines.”

Tuchel is anticipated to have a totally match squad to select from in opposition to the Toffees. Thiago Silva returned to first-team coaching this week having recovered from a thigh harm whereas the ankle downside Tammy Abraham has been nursing should not hold him out of competition.

So who needs to be named within the Chelsea aspect?

In purpose might be Edouard Mendy. The Senegal worldwide is the Blues’ undisputed first-choice goalkeeper and has saved six clear sheets in eight matches for the reason that German coach took cost.

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Cesar Azpilicueta and Antonio Rudiger, in the meantime, are certainties to start out on both aspect of the again three. Who occupies the central position is not such a simple decision for Tuchel.

Since entering into the aspect for Silva throughout the victory over Tottenham initially of final month, Andreas Christensen has been a flawless performer for the Blues.

In reality, the one time Chelsea have conceded with the Dane of their aspect over the previous month was the personal purpose scored by Rudiger within the victory over Sheffield United.

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Thomas Tuchel embraces Andreas Christensen (after Chelsea beat Liverpool 1-0 at Anfield

It’s for that motive that Christensen ought to hold his place within the beginning XI in opposition to the Toffees.

Having not featured at Anfield, Callum Hudson-Odoi is more likely to be introduced again into the team at proper wing-back.

On the other flank, Marcos Alonso could also be given the nod as his top might show essential at defending set-pieces with the likes of Michael Keane, Ben Godfrey, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison all threats within the air for Everton.

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Tuchel hinted after the win in opposition to Liverpool that N’Golo Kante’s minutes must be managed forward of the worldwide break and which will imply Mateo Kovacic comes again into the beginning XI to accomplice Jorginho in midfield.

Mason Mount has established himself as a fixture within the aspect below Tuchel, as has Timo Werner. Both needs to be included within the team as soon as extra this night.

Who fills the opposite attacking position is hard, with Abraham, Olivier Giroud, Kai Havertz, Hakim Ziyech and Christian Pulisic all vying for a begin relying on the attacking form Tuchel utalises.

However, having not been used on Thursday night, Olivier Giroud might be contemporary and his bodily presence might show essential in opposition to the Everton defence.

Predicted Chelsea aspect vs Everton: Mendy; Azpilicueta, Christensen, Rudiger; Hudson-Odoi, Kovacic, Jorginho, Alonso; Mount, Giroud, Werner

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