The games just keep coming for Chelsea and Thomas Tuchel. The German coach arrived at Stamford Bridge less than two weeks ago but has already overseen three matches and is preparing for another.
Sheffield United are the Blues’ opponents this weekend. The Premier League’s bottom-placed side visit Stamford Bridge this evening looking to pull off a shock win.
Such is the unrelenting nature of this campaign, Tuchel is expected to make changes to his side. Chelsea do have injury concerns too, with Thiago Silva, Kurt Zouma and Kai Havertz all doubts ahead of the contest.
It’s not been easy to second-guess Tuchel when it comes to team selections, but here is how football.london expects Chelsea to line-up against the Blades.
There is no need for a change to be made in goal. Edouard Mendy has been largely untroubled during Tuchel’s opening three matches in charge, yet when called upon he has done the necessary.
A change to the back three is expected to be made with Silva almost certainly ruled out. The Brazilian suffered a thigh injury in the win over Spurs and Tuchel wasn’t optimistic the 36-year-old would make a quick recovery.
"It is hard to give a diagnosis because I saw him only very quickly in the dressing room with a big strap around his muscle,” he said. "We will have to wait until tomorrow so we can confirm it but I think for Sunday he is a big doubt and I don't think that he can play."
If the Brazilian does miss the game, Andreas Christensen should step into the starting XI. The Dane produced a composed display after being thrown on against Spurs and looks far more comfortable in the middle of a three-man defence than in a back four.
With Kurt Zouma also struggling with a knock picked up in training, Cesar Azpilicueta and Antonio Rudiger should complete the back three.
Reece James and Marcos Alonso filled the two wing-back roles against Tottenham on Thursday evening. Yet given Chelsea should dominate the ball this afternoon, it makes sense for Callum Hudson-Odoi to drop back into the right wing-back position he occupied in Tuchel’s opening two games at the helm.
N’Golo Kante returned from a month-long injury lay-off in midweek and may be handed a start against the Blades to build up his match fitness. Jorginho should keep his place in the team.
The plethora of attacking options available to Tuchel means the German is having to make difficult decisions ahead of every game.
Mason Mount was Chelsea’s man-of-the-match against Tottenham and should retain his spot. Alongside the England international may be Hakim Ziyech, who will be fresh having sat out the Blues’ last two victories.
Timo Werner started in midweek and earned the penalty from which Jorginho struck Chelsea’s winner. Don’t be surprised, however, if he drops to the bench with Tammy Abraham given a start.
The 23-year-old forward has started only one of Tuchel’s matches in charge, and in that he was brought off after 45 minutes. But his smart movement in the penalty area may prove key to breaking through the visiting defence.
Chelsea predicted side (3-4-3) : Mendy; Azpilicueta, Christensen, Rudiger; Hudson-Odoi, Jorginho, Kante, Alonso; Ziyech, Abraham, Mount,
