The Pride of London
Fansided

Chelsea predicted XI at Barnsley: Tuchel goes with trusted 3-4-3

By Olaoluwa Nwobodo

Chelsea's English striker Tammy Abraham scores the opening goal during the English League Cup third round football match between Chelsea and Barnsley at Stamford Bridge in London on September 23, 2020. (Photo by NEIL HALL / various sources / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by NEIL HALL/AFP via Getty Images)
Chelsea's English striker Tammy Abraham scores the opening goal during the English League Cup third round football match between Chelsea and Barnsley at Stamford Bridge in London on September 23, 2020. (Photo by NEIL HALL / various sources / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by NEIL HALL/AFP via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 3
Next
LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 08: Billy Gilmour of Chelsea FC gestures during the UEFA Champions League Group E stage match between Chelsea FC and FC Krasnodar at Stamford Bridge on December 08, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Chloe Knott – Danehouse/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 08: Billy Gilmour of Chelsea FC gestures during the UEFA Champions League Group E stage match between Chelsea FC and FC Krasnodar at Stamford Bridge on December 08, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Chloe Knott – Danehouse/Getty Images) /

Calum Hudson-Odoi (No. 20) Right wingback, England

Tuchel’s decision to deploy Callum Hudson-Odoi as a wingback in his system first caught many Chelsea fans by surprise. The gaffer himself would go on to admit that he had no idea on the if the youngster had played there before. That move born out of uncertainty is beginning to look like a masterstroke with Hudson-Odoi acclimatizing to his new role like a duck to water. He came off the bench on Sunday as the Blues looked to see out the game but this time, expect him to start.

N’Golo Kante (No. 7) Central midfielder, France

The midfield dynamo has recently recovered from an injury which he sustained in last month’s defeat to Manchester City, and he is raring to go again on the back of substitute appearances against Spurs and Sheffield. Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic have undeniably done well in his absence, but N’Golo Kante will have to get back in the team at some point. In a bid to get him to full match fitness, it is expected that he will get about an hour of playing time in this one.

Billy Gilmour (No. 23) Central midfielder, Scotland

The FA Cup has proven to be Billy Gilmour’s major source of first team opportunities, as he has featured in every minute of the competition to date. The young Scottish midfielder has been very good whenever he has been called upon. He looked set to go on loan during the January window, but things changed in the end. While it is already clear that he is going to be a big player for Chelsea in the future, he has another chance to serve up a reminder of that fact.

Marcos Alonso (No. 3) Left wingback, Spain

Marcos Alonso has been given a new lease of life in the last few weeks as he is back in the picture for the first time in a while. While Ben Chilwell is widely regarded as the better player, you could argue the Spaniard fares better in a back-three system. Alonso came on to replace his English teammate in the final knockings of the Sheffield game, but this time, he is tipped to start right from the off.

Home/FA Cup