Chelsea host Wolves at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night as Thomas Tuchel takes charge of his first match for the Blues.
Sitting 10th in the table, Chelsea are in desperate need of points. With the appointment of a new boss, the fans will be eager to see how different the line-up will be.
Team News:
Tuchel is yet to give his first pre-match press conference, so we will have to reference Frank Lampard’s last comments in regards to injuries. He last reported that N’Golo Kante was working outside on his own with the physios. This was said on Saturday, January 23rd, so there it is unsure if the French midfielder has fully recovered. Other than that, we can assume that the rest of the first-team squad is available for selection.
Predicted XI:
Tuchel sometimes used a 4-3-3 formation at Borussia Dortmund and also at PSG. The German is unlikely to change the formation after working with the team for such a small amount of time.
In goal, Edouard Mendy is likely to retain his place. He has shown throughout the season that he is Chelsea’s best goalkeeper.
In defence, Kurt Zouma and Thiago Silva are likely to start as our center-back pairing, with Reece James and Ben Chilwell occupying the full-back positions. Unlike our attack, the defense is not an area that needs major reconstruction. Tuchel will hope for an assured performance from our back four.
In midfield, Kovacic is likely to occupy the holding midfield role. Occupying the two attacking 8 positions will be Kai Havertz and Mason Mount. Both midfielders possess a goal scoring threat when in the final third, a trait that Tuchel likes from his midfielders.
Switching to the attack, Tammy Abraham has been in amazing goal scoring form and will likely play as the number 9. Flanking him will be Christian Pulisic and Callum Hudson-Odoi. The two wingers are fantastic in 1v1 situations and will give the Wolves defence something to think about throughout the game.
Full Predicted XI:
Mendy
James, Zouma, Silva, Chilwell
Havertz, Kovacic, Mount
Hudson-Odoi, Abraham, Pulisic
