Chelsea predicted XI vs. Man City: Will the 4-3-3 bring back winning ways?

Hakim Ziyech (No. 22) Right winger, Morocco

Ziyech has missed five games since his injury, an injury that many expected not to be serious. He has been a shining light for Chelsea whenever he’s played, even when he hasn’t had goals or assists. His decision making is one of the things that sets him apart from other players. He can decide what the team needs in record time, whether it’s just a short pass to keep the ball moving, or a line breaking pass to try and split open the defense. His presence has been missed this season. Chelsea has lacked the final ball since he’s been out of the side. His technical quality is comparable with very few players. It’s not a coincidence that he has created the most big chances in three consecutive seasons he was at Ajax in the Eredivisie. He ties all the pieces together and his return would be Christmas coming late.

Tammy Abraham (No. 9) Striker, England

Chelsea has won one match in their last five, with that one coming against West Ham where Tammy Abraham started. Abraham has improved so much this season and Chelsea plays so much better with him in the side. His energy for pressing, his off the ball movement, his ability to create space for himself and his teammates is something that few other strikers give. Many have not noticed just how important the Englishman is to the team, so forgive them when you hear some Abraham slander. Chelsea’s 17-game unbeaten run featured Abraham a lot, so it does make you wonder why it’s difficult for some fans to piece things together. Abraham has missed very few big chances compared to the goals he’s scored. There are many excuses for Timo Werner about the position he’s being played in, but those excuses fall apart when he gets goal scoring chances and he keeps missing them. Abraham has deserved this start more than Werner, plain and simple.

Christian Pulisic (No. 10) Left winger, United States

Flashback to this fixture last season: Christian Pulisic took on two Man City players to slot it past Ederson with so much ease and finesse. His talent is ridiculous; his dribbling is a joy to watch; his directness and willingness to run at opposition defenders is the kind of confidence that more players need to have. Pulisic is yet to hit top gear, his little injury issues have not helped, however, everyone has seen enough to know how deadly he’d be when he does reach his full potential. Pulisic is already near unplayable as it is. His runs down the left would work well with Ziyech’s cross field passes that almost always send defenses into disarray. The main thing Chelsea needs to focus on is keeping the American fit, because the Blues have a higher chance of winning with him on the pitch. He offers something different to Ziyech, but both are equally important in their own way.

Who do you want to see in the starting XI? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter!