Chelsea faces Malmo tonight in a match where Thomas Tuchel can consider rotating the squad.
Respectfully, It is easy to assume a win for the Blues considering their emphatic performance the last time the clubs last met. With just three changes to the starting lineup, it looks as though Tuchel is not willing to take the risk and goes for a strong starting eleven.
It’s no wonder that Tuchel has gone with a safe lineup.
To celebrate 5,000 days without a trophy for Tottenham, it’ll be great for the boys in blue to bring home the three points and extend our lead in the group table.
N'Golo Kante, Mason Mount, Timo Werner, and Romelu Lukaku are all out of the equation due to injury as Christian Pulisic finally makes his return to the team sheet. It’s about time!
Tonight we see Ruben Loftus-Cheek back in action. We’ve longed to see him start another match since his excellent display against Brentford earlier last month. I expect him to show out once again and command the midfield the best way he knows how.
There’s been a lot of talk surrounding Tuchel’s use of his wingbacks recently. Tuchel refers to them as midfielders as opposed to defenders. In today’s match-up, Reece James and Ben Chilwell are awarded a rest as Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso get the call-up.
Hoping to feel the impact of their contribution in the same manner as James and Chilwell. Using their freedom and discretion to contribute towards what I predict to be a goal-scoring fest.
The talk of the town is Callum Hudson Odoi starting on that left-wing role. God answer’s prayers and so does Tuchel. Next to Callum is the duo that started over the weekend, Kai Havertz and Hakim Ziyech, Some are not too fond of having to possibly relive the misplaced passes and offside runs from Ziyech however, this match could favour the Morrocan. With more freedom and space with the ball, we could see the Wizard work his magic in the final third.
With Christian Pulisic finally back from injury, the general assumption was that he would be gifted a starting position in tonight’s Champions League draw. Pulisic starts on the bench alongside Ross Barkley and Harvey Vale.
Yet to see Vale in first-team action this season, today could be his opportunity to make an impression.
No worries at the back for the Blues. At this point, Tuchel could field any back three that he pleases and I will still be confident with Edouard Mendy standing strong behind them. Thiago Silva, Andreas Christensen, and Antonio Rudiger all keep their spots. I was hoping for another Trevoh Chalobah cameo, but I guess we’d have to wait for the next opportunity.
Chelsea Line up: Mendy; Christensen, Thiago Silva, Rudiger; Azpilicueta (C), Jorginho, Loftus-Cheek, Alonso; Ziyech, Hudson-Odoi, Havertz
Do you agree with the team Tuchel has picked? Follow our CareFreeChelsea writer Anita Abayomi on Twitter to get involved in the discussion and give us your thoughts in the comments section.
