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Chelsea predicted XI vs. Leeds: Lampard goes with 4-3-3 at full strength

By Olaoluwa Nwobodo

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 – NOVEMBER 07: Thiago Silva of Chelsea celebrates after scoring his team’s third goal during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Sheffield United at Stamford Bridge on November 07, 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 Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 07: Thiago Silva of Chelsea celebrates after scoring his team’s third goal during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Sheffield United at Stamford Bridge on November 07, 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 Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /

Chelsea welcomes both Leeds United and fans to Stamford Bridge for the first time in awhile, but who will they get to see in the Blues’ XI?

Chelsea will go into this game with cautious confidence, and rightly so. The Blues should be confident as they welcome Leeds United to Stamford Bridge because they have shown that they don’t have problems creating chances or scoring goals this season. They have also shown that they are now a superb defensive outfit, making for a complete side.

Frank Lampard’s Chelsea faces a Leeds team that will run for ninety minutes, meaning that the Blues need players at full fitness. Chelsea rested nine out of 11 first team players against Sevilla mid-week and still won the game by a four-goal margin. Here’s who we think Lampard sends out against the Premier League returnees:

Edouard Mendy (No. 16) Goalkeeper, Senegal

Mendy starts in goal without a doubt. The Senegalese giant has kept nine clean sheets in 12 games and has conceded only three goals in his Chelsea career. He has a save percentage of about 90 percent, compared to Kepa Arrizabalaga’s 52 percent last season. Mendy’s alertness and willingness to run out when necessary, or to step out to claim crosses before they become scoring opportunities, is part of what has made Chelsea formidable defensively.

Reece James (No. 24) Right back, England

James has improved his defending considerably this season as he leads the team in tackles and ground duels. He is now more tactically aware, and has remained lethal offensively. He has everything Chelsea needs in a fullback and then some. His goal against Brighton is an example of one of his abilities that you don’t normally associate with defenders: goal scoring. James has been sending in sweet crosses in recent games, but no one has been present to finish off those golden opportunities. He will be a handful for many defenses he comes up against and Leeds is no exception.

Kurt Zouma (No. 15) Centerback, France

Zouma has been magnificent this season, leading the defense in several key defending statistics like clearances, interceptions and aerial duels. Zouma has been putting up solid defensive performances since last season and he’s only just getting the reward for it now. His partnership with Thiago Silva has worked perfectly, and they have played an important role in Chelsea’s newfound defensive solidity, not as important a role as Mendy though.

Thiago Silva (No. 6) Centerback, Brazil

Silva leads the team in passes per game, and this is not surprising either as he’s the calmest head in the back line so the Blues play out from the back through him. Silva came under a lot of heat in his first Premier League game because of his unforced error leading to goal, but he’s picked himself up since then and that’s commendable. It shows where he is mentally. He complements Zouma very well and he’s the best passer on Chelsea’s defensive roster. He leads the defense in long passes, though Zouma leads in progressive passes.

Ben Chilwell (No. 21) Left back, England

Many fans doubted Chilwell when he was being targeted by Lampard as his nationality brought some bias into his evaluation. That said, he has played way better than he did at Leicester City. He has made the occasional back pass to opponents here and there, but overall, he has been superb defensively and offensively. He ranks second at Chelsea for key passes per game, behind only Hakim Ziyech. Chilwell has also played his own role in Chelsea’s defensive fortunes. Winning 57 percent of his aerial duels, which is impressive for someone who is 5-foot-10 (178 cm).

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