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Chelsea predicted XI for Wolves: Everything on the line

By Michael DeVito

LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 19: Mason Mount of Chelsea looks on during the FA Cup Semi Final match between Manchester United and Chelsea at Wembley Stadium on July 19, 2020 in London, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Alastair Grant/Pool via Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 19: Mason Mount of Chelsea looks on during the FA Cup Semi Final match between Manchester United and Chelsea at Wembley Stadium on July 19, 2020 in London, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Alastair Grant/Pool via Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 07: Christian Pulisic of Chelsea celebrates with teammates after scoring his team’s second goal during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Chelsea FC at Selhurst Park on July 07, 2020 in London, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Justin Tallis/Pool via Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 07: Christian Pulisic of Chelsea celebrates with teammates after scoring his team’s second goal during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Chelsea FC at Selhurst Park on July 07, 2020 in London, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Justin Tallis/Pool via Getty Images) /

Willian (No. 10) Right winger, Brazil

One the right wing, Lampard goes with experience, pace, work rate and determination in Willian. He sticks with the veteran on the right to work with Ross Barkley on that side. This may be his last chance to deliver for Chelsea in the Premier League and if so, he’ll want to exit with a phenomenal performance. He’ll make it count. Fatigue may be catching up with the 31-year-old as his form has slipped a bit in recent games. Hopefully he will regain the amazing form he exhibited after the restart and help bring Champions League qualification to Chelsea for next season.

Combined with the electrifying Christian Pulisic, the in-form and scoring Giroud and a solid midfield for this game, Willian should be well motivated to give it his all in maybe his finale at Stamford Bridge. No doubt, if he can regain top form even for this one game, showcase his electrifying pace and maybe score a goal, it could certainly signal a huge outcome for the Blues. Lampard goes with the best, the tested, the winner—it’s Willian on right wing against Wolves.

Olivier Giroud (No. 18) Striker, France

No one has earned the start more than Olivier Giroud at striker. Giroud has become nearly a goal-a-game striker since the restart and just before; he’s in sizzling form. If he’s physically ready to go, the World Cup winning Frenchman deserves the start and should get it. No one else on the Blues’ squad can deliver the strong, back-to-goal effort that Giroud can. In fact, few strikers—as Eden Hazard has noted—can do what he can in world football. He’s that effective.

Giroud has combined with the rejuvenated and refocused Pulisic to deliver goals in bunches for Chelsea since the restart. It’s a good thing, they will need that kind of production Sunday to beat Wolves. There is no margin for error. The best striker to help meet the team’s goal Sunday is Giroud.

Christian Pulisic (No. 22) Left winger, United States

There is no surprise all across the front. On the left, it’s the American whizkid Christian Pulisic, without a doubt. He has proven since the restart that he is all that Chelsea had hoped for when they shelled out a fortune to secure his services from Dortmund and waited for six months for him at that. Pulisic’s take-off in the second half against the champions was just frosting on the cake. His scintillating, new, direct attacking style has made him one of the most dangerous attackers in the Premier League.

Pulisic is on fire and can be a key component in helping Chelsea secure that all-important Champions League slot. His reemergence since June has been a masterclass of a transformation. He has discarded the pass-first approach of his pre-injury form and dramatically altered his style to one that is more direct. He lives for moments like this.

Next. Chelsea: Four things to look for on final day against Wolverhampton. dark

What is your predicted XI? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter!

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