Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel has been attempting to find a solution to the Blues’ unconventional attack since Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner were injured.
The two forwards both sustained problems in the Blues’ 4-0 victory against Malmo, leaving the west London club lacking in attacking options.
Whilst that hasn’t affected Chelsea too much having plundered seven goals against Norwich City last time out in the Premier League, whilst having also progressed past Southampton in the Carabao Cup, the attack has seemed somewhat blunted.
Kai Havertz has been deputising in the absences of Werner and Lukaku but as has been characteristic of his Chelsea career so far, the German has been hit with inconsistency.
With that being said, football.london takes a look at who could lead the line against Newcastle United this weekend.
Havertz continues up front
When given the chance to either stick or twist, Tuchel could potentially choose to stick, with Havertz having been his choice in each of the last two games.
It is difficult to suggest that he did not produce the goods against Southampton after the former Bayer Leverkusen man opened the scoring.
Meanwhile, he has sparkled in the role before having netted the all-important strike against Manchester City in the Champions League final. That might well be enough to see Tuchel retain faith in Havertz as his most advanced attacking option.
Ziyech given a chance
On the topic of inconsistency, Ziyech is also a victim of somewhat under-par showings at Stamford Bridge.
Since arriving from Ajax, the Moroccan has netted just seven goals for the Blues - a disappointing amount of productivity considering the lofty fee it took to bring him to Stamford Bridge.
Some might then question what makes him a candidate to lead the line against Newcastle, however his best form for Chelsea has come when he has been deployed in a central position.
He has five goals in 26 appearances when in the middle as opposed to just two in 18 when out on the wing.
Coming up against a somewhat flimsy Newcastle defence, it might just be the kick that Ziyech needs to finally get his Stamford Bridge career up and running.
Mount at false nine
If Tuchel wants to go with a somewhat maverick choice then there is one outstanding option in the squad currently in electric goalscoring form.
Academy graduate Mason Mount netted a hat-trick against Norwich City last time out so will surely be keen to continue that positive record against Newcastle.
It was Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola who first pushed the prominence of a ‘false nine’ at Barcelona and it was a tactic that was soon followed by the Spanish national team.
Of course, the position and responsibilities of it would be somewhat alien to Mount but he certainly has the awareness and finishing ability to trouble the Magpies defence if he is moved into a more central position.
