Chelsea predicted XI vs Wolves: 4-3-3 with no room for Kai Havertz

Chelsea has been yanked back down to earth by Carlo Ancelotti’s Everton. The Blues had gone 17 games without losing, picking up some very comfortable wins in that period. The Blues seemed a tad lazy and they seemed to expect to win because they were in good form. Frank Lampard missing some key figures in the squad including Christian Pulisic and Hakim Ziyech. The loss to Everton is almost not as important as the reaction to it. The world would be looking to see how Chelsea reacts to a lackluster performance and another game two days later would be a perfect opportunity. Here’s who we think get into this eleven after a disappointing loss at Merseyside:

Edouard Mendy, Goalkeeper (No. 16), Senegal

Mendy showed in the Everton game that he is human after all. He made a bad decision and was very much responsible for that penalty. Yes, you can admit he was at fault for something, it doesn’t change the fact that he has kept nine clean sheets in 12 games. He went on to make 3 saves in that game, on par with his opposite number Jordan Pickford. Mendy did not let his mistake dictate the rest of his game, and that is the kind of mentality that Lampard wants to see in his players.

Reece James, Right back (No. 24), England

James was one of the best players on the pitch against Everton. He put his stamp on the game, with the number of tackles he made. He tried a lot of things offensively, though none of his seven crosses were successful. The Everton game was as much a physical game as it was a tactical one, and James did himself justice on both fronts.

Kurt Zouma, Centerback (No. 15), France

Zouma was Chelsea’s best performer against Everton. He won seven out of 10 aerial duels. He also made the most passes, two more than Silva. He made two key passes, 4 clearances and blocked one shot. Many don’t value his aerial dominance, but the goal conceded was as a result of a lost aerial duel. Zouma has been in top form this season and he is key to whatever Chelsea may be trying to achieve. He remains Chelsea’s best centerback.

Thiago Silva, Centerback (No. 6), Brazil

Silva was a bit shaky against Everton. He was tested against Everton and he came out second best often. He had good and not so good moments in the game. He made 6 clearances and one interception. He had an impressive 94 percent passing accuracy, completing an impressive eight out of 11 long balls against the Toffees. On the other hand he was dribbled past, won none of his ground duels, and won none of his aerial duels, and for a centerback that isn’t good enough. A key moment in that game was Pickford’s long ball to Dominic Calvert-Lewin that the Englishman won easily, causing chaos at the back and ending up with Mendy making a bad decision.

Ben Chilwell, Left back (No. 21), England

Chilwell did not have a bad game. Chelsea did need some creativity and he didn’t contribute to that. He made no key passes and completed just one out of five crosses. He’s still Chelsea’s best left back and he’d continue to start, except he drops more underwhelming performances like this. For what the blues need against Wolves though, Chilwell would be essential.