Chelsea host Burnley this Sunday lunchtime and the Blues will be looking for their first win under new head coach Thomas Tuchel.
Burnley will provide a similar test to the one we faced against Wolves. The two sides typically sacrifice attacking impetus for defense stability. Chelsea created very few clear-cut chances last time out, but perhaps a change in personnel rather than a change in formation is needed.
Team News
Tuchel gave his first press conference on Thursday afternoon and provided us with an injury update. He reported that N’Golo Kante is fully fit and is in contention for the game this Sunday. The rest of the squad is injury-free, leaving him with choices to make. (chelseafc.com)
Referring to the previous team selection against Wolves would be the best way to predict the potential line-up against Burnley. However, Tuchel himself said that his selections were “totally unfair”, mentioning that he only had one training session to work with the team.
Predicted XI
Edouard Mendy is likely to retain his place in goal after keeping another clean sheet in the Premier League on Wednesday night.
Continuing with the 3-4-2-1 formation; Cesar Azpilicueta, Thiago Silva, and Antonio Rudiger will remain as the three central defenders. While Ben Chilwell and Callum Hudson-Odoi play as the wing-backs.
In midfield, Mateo Kovacic and Jorginho will retain their places. N’Golo Kante has returned to training, but he is most likely to start from the bench.
The two number 10’s behind the striker will be Kai Havertz and Mason Mount. Havertz covered more ground (11.41km) than any other player against Wolves and he looks like an entirely different player to the one we have seen this season. Mount had a very impressive cameo after being subbed on, and he is in contention to start in our upcoming match.
Playing in front of them will be Timo Werner. The German striker has been short of confidence lately, but this may be the perfect match for him to recover.
Full Predicted XI
Mendy
Azpi, Silva, Rudiger
Hudson-Odoi, Kovacic, Jorginho, Chilwell
Havertz, Mount
Werner
