Chelsea: 2021’s best XI is already settled, said, and done

Forwards: Christian Pulisic, Timo Werner, and Hakim Ziyech

Christian Pulisic has been plagued with injuries during his initial season and a half in the Blue of Chelsea. He has not been able to shake off the injury bug for any extended period of time. Currently fit, Pulisic will hopefully step into the starting left winger position and claim it as his own. After ditching his indecisive and deferential playing style after the suspension of play earlier this year, Pulisic returned with a vengeance with dynamic pace, a new direct-attacking style, and a clear determination to be a difference-maker. It worked. He along with Olivier Giroud and Willian led Chelsea’s post-suspension dash to a Champions League spot this season.

At center-forward Lampard has an abundance of riches but his best option is Timo Werner. One should of course qualify that by saying that a certain French national, No. 18, Olivier Giroud has proven and continues to prove that he is more than capable of manning that top spot often with startlingly positive results. In such a case, Werner is certainly an option, especially when other wingers are unfit, to man the left-wing spot. Werner’s talent is unquestionable, his pace is blistering, and his skills are undeniable, yet the German national has begun his Chelsea career misfiring on a number of occasions.

Forget any panic, it says here that these are just part of his acclimation process. Feeling pressure to succeed, and that means the toughest part of football, goal-scoring for a striker, Werner seems to be just trying a bit too hard, as they say. His overuse earlier did nothing to help ameliorate that situation. Now, however, with a more managed and manageable allocation of pitch time (read, the use of the brilliant Giroud), expect Werner to break out in a big way, soon, and never look back. It may be a brace, a hat trick, or a Giroud-inspired quad. Whatever it will be, it will arrive soon and it will launch Werner on his way to a haul of goals for certain.

At right-wing is the Moroccan magician, Hakim Ziyech. He has unfortunately been afflicted with injuries in both his first game in blue with a knee injury and most recently a hamstring injury a week ago. The good news is that he is expected to be fit sooner rather than later. That will be a big plus for the winger whose silky smooth crosses can dismantle any defense and the club. One problem to-date has been that the midfield on the right has been unable to involve Ziyech as much as needs be in the attack. The linkup in the middle of the pitch between James and Ziyech has been largely ineffective. The emplacement of Havertz in that position permanently will open things up for Ziyech and allow him to put his stamp on Chelsea’s attack. When that happens, the Blues’ attack will be devastating.

That is the team that when it is finally fit, acclimated, and in sync, will be a juggernaut on offense in the Premier League and will be solid throughout the lineup. This could happen earlier or maybe it won’t happen until later in 2021. No crystal ball here. But barring wholly unfortunate major injuries, if/when this group of players actually gets onto the pitch together when all are relatively fit and rested, it should be a sight to behold, at least for Chelsea fans. The positioning of this particular 11 on the pitch at one time, will be great to see, for Chelsea fans. There are few weaknesses to point out in this XI, and it may just lead to a title or two this season or next. In fact, it’s very likely it will.