Chelsea will begin their Premier League campaign today, under their new manager Maurizio Sarri.
Maurizio Sarri takes his Chelsea side to the Kirklees Stadium today. There, the Blues will face Huddersfield Town on Saturday’s tea time clash. The former Napoli boss has a task on his hands. That is to help Chelsea get three points and help the team recover from its poor performance against Manchester City in the FA Community Shield last weekend. Chelsea now have everyone back following the World Cup and will have a strong line up on field. We predict what will be the likely eleven.
DEFENCE
Chelsea’s main goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois left the club for Real Madrid. Eventually, the Blues signed Kepa from Athletic Bilbao. The Spanish goalkeeper will get a start in high probabilities. Maurizio Sarri’s Chelsea side will have a four man defence, unlike Antonio Conte who played a three man backline. David Luiz and Andreas Christensen are very likely to be in the fray for this away trip. Spanish full back duo of Marcos Alonso and Cesar Azpilicueta is the favourite option to take the two extreme ends of defence under their control.
MIDFIELD
Maurizio Sarri’s traditional game plan requires the breakage of the opponent through a stellar midfield. The Italian got compatriot Jorginho with him to London. Having made his debut against City last time out, the Italian no. 5 will be granted a start against Huddersfield. N’Golo Kante is back from international duty and trained for the last whole week. He is likely to start. Mateo Kovacic also signed for Chelsea this week. He is the probable choice to partner Kante and Jorginho in midfield trio.
ATTACK
The Chelsea attack was brilliantly whistled out by a strong Manchester City defence. To be a little less harsh on the Blues, they didn’t have experience and first choice players up top. Eden Hazard is back from Belgium duty and will certainly start at left wing. He is also rumoured to be handed the captain’s armband.
On the other side of the attack is set to be the Brazilian Willian. Despite being linked with a host of clubs, he is committed to Chelsea. Down the middle, Alvaro Morata is expected to be given the nod over Olivier Giroud. The former Real Madrid and Juventus striker will be out to prove his critics wrong after a pathetic first season in west London.
Predicted XI –
Kepa Arrizabalagal; Azpilicueta, David Luiz, Christensen, Alonso; Kante, Jorginho, Kovacic; Hazard, Morata, Willian
