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Chelsea predicted XI at Rennes: The Champions League is a priority

By Gabe Henderson

LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 04: N'Golo Kante of Chelsea is challenged by Benjamin Bourigeaud of Stade Rennais FC during the UEFA Champions League Group E stage match between Chelsea FC and Stade Rennais at Stamford Bridge on November 04, 2020 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Adam Davy - Pool/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 04: N'Golo Kante of Chelsea is challenged by Benjamin Bourigeaud of Stade Rennais FC during the UEFA Champions League Group E stage match between Chelsea FC and Stade Rennais at Stamford Bridge on November 04, 2020 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Adam Davy - Pool/Getty Images) /
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Chelsea’s German striker Timo Werner (2R) celebrates scoring the opening goal from the penalty spot during the UEFA Champions League Group E football match between Chelsea and Rennes at Stamford Bridge in London on November 4, 2020. (Photo by Ben STANSALL / POOL / AFP) (Photo by BEN STANSALL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Chelsea’s German striker Timo Werner (2R) celebrates scoring the opening goal from the penalty spot during the UEFA Champions League Group E football match between Chelsea and Rennes at Stamford Bridge in London on November 4, 2020. (Photo by Ben STANSALL / POOL / AFP) (Photo by BEN STANSALL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

Hakim Ziyech (No. 22) Right winger, Morocco

Christian Pulisic remains sidelined with a hamstring injury and will not make the trip to France with the rest of the team. Therefore, Chelsea needs someone who can both create and score with ease out wide and that individual is Hakim Ziyech. Few players around the world have been more in form than Ziyech since his return from injury. Ziyech unlocks compact defenses and adds another dimension to Lampard’s attack. While the other two forwards combine over on the left side and through the middle, the Moroccan is happy to standalone and wait for others to get into dangerous space in or around the 18-yard box before whipping in a beautiful ball. Ziyech’s inclusion is especially important if James is benched. The Wizard offers a crossing precision Azpilicueta simply cannot.

Tammy Abraham (No. 9) Striker, England

All of Chelsea’s forwards have done some special things as of late, but nobody has exceeded expectations more this season than Tammy Abraham. Many believed the signings of Timo Werner and Ziyech essentially meant the end of Abraham’s short-lived Chelsea first team career. The player thought otherwise. Abraham has doubled down on himself and his own abilities, adding fresh aspects to his game which have made him nearly undroppable. In addition, he’s scoring with ease and combining well with Werner in Pulisic’s absence.

Timo Werner (No. 11) Left winger, Germany

Werner had a rough start to Chelsea life out on the wing at the beginning of the season. As Lampard and his staff continued to figure out the attack, it looked like Werner would only be able to play the No. 9 role in England. That isn’t the case anymore after he’s adapted and grown as a winger. Pulisic remains sidelined and Callum Hudson-Odoi doesn’t seem like he’ll get a start soon, especially in the Champions League. This leaves the German to slot in, despite his fatigue a few weeks back. Werner had his worst game in a Chelsea shirt against Newcastle, but still managed to bag an excellent assist. He’s an important piece to any Blues line-up going forward and the same goes for the match in Rennes.

Next. Chelsea talking tactics: Which Rennes turns up at home?. dark

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