Chelsea predicted XI vs Norwich City: N’Golo Kante back at midfield fulcrum
Right wing: Christian Pulisic, 22, United States
There have been glimpses of what Christian Pulisic is capable of and his attitude will make him a fan favourite. That he cut short his holiday to get himself to Cobham and join up with the Blues squad will have endeared to the manager as well… creep.
Like the rest of his teammates, though, it’s not quite happened yet. The feeling is, with the way Chelsea attack, some poor side is going to get a hammering when everyone actually does click. That could be Saturday or further down the line, but it will happen… It will happen.
Left wing: Willian, 10, Brazil
This is click-bait. No, it’s not.
Willian came on against Leicester and failed to impress his detractors once again. Like “Dave” in defence, he’s an easy target. Willian makes mistakes because he’s brave enough to try to affect the game. That creativity is often lost in his inability to get the ball past the first man when he takes a corner. It just takes one moment of magic to score a goal, though, and he’s proved he can do that time and again.
Conte-emoji-gate was bad but he wanted to play. That post-FA Cup outburst wasn’t great, but he is Chelsea’s No. 10 and deserves to show what he can do as he regains match-fitness.
Striker: Michy Batshuayi, 23, Belgium
Chelsea have lost one Belgian player this summer. Frank Lampard has said he wants Batshuayi to be a part of his squad. So far it looks like he’s been snubbed rather than subbed, as he’s yet to make the bench in either Premier League game.
However, the Premier League-winning striker played for the development side against Liverpool earlier in the week and grabbed two goals and an assist. Lampard and Co. watched on.
The clamour to see him start is growing and Lampard would do well to take heed. Batshuayi has played across Europe and scored wherever he’s been – aside from Valencia. Neither Tambraham or Olivier Giroud have looked prolific so far.
Michy Batshuayi has to be given his chance to stake his claim to lead the line.