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Chelsea predicted XI vs Everton: 3-4-2-1 is the way forward

By Olaoluwa Nwobodo

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 04: Thomas Tuchel, Manager of Chelsea embraces Mason Mount of Chelsea following the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on February 04, 2021 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 Clive Rose/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 04: Thomas Tuchel, Manager of Chelsea embraces Mason Mount of Chelsea following the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on February 04, 2021 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 Clive Rose/Getty Images) /
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Chelsea’s English midfielder Callum Hudson-Odoi (R) celebrates scoring their third goal during the English FA Cup third round football match between Chelsea and Morecambe at Stamford Bridge in London on January 10, 2021. (Photo by Ian KINGTON / IKIMAGES / 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 IAN KINGTON/IKIMAGES/AFP via Getty Images)
Chelsea’s English midfielder Callum Hudson-Odoi (R) celebrates scoring their third goal during the English FA Cup third round football match between Chelsea and Morecambe at Stamford Bridge in London on January 10, 2021. (Photo by Ian KINGTON / IKIMAGES / 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 IAN KINGTON/IKIMAGES/AFP via Getty Images) /

Callum Hudson-Odoi (No. 20) Right wing back, England

Hudson-Odoi was left out of the squad against Liverpool mainly due to fitness reasons. Though he has just one goal involvement under Tuchel, he has generally played well and he has become more defensively aware in recent games. The Southampton substitution episode seems like ages ago now. He is a promising talent that can easily go right to the very top (in Harry Redknapp’s voice). He just needs to work hard and ignore all the noise. Comparisons will be made but that is useless for any player’s development. He has come a long way from the 17 year old kid who debuted under Antonio Conte. He has impressed under Tuchel, showing his gratitude to the new manager for the faith shown in him.

Jorginho (No. 5) Central midfielder, Italy

Naturally the Chelsea fanbase went from rating Jorginho as the best base midfielder any team could have, to calling him rubbish and useless, to rating him as the best midfielder to ever exist again. None of those evaluations are true. Jorginho is not the Pirlo incarnate he was advertised to be by the fanbase when he first arrived under Maurizio Sarri. He is also not a useless player like some claim. He is a good defensive midfielder who reads the game well and has flaws like any other player. There are games where his strengths are needed, others not so much. No need for the extreme praise or criticism.

Related Story. When Thomas Tuchel met Carlo Ancelotti: Tied by more than Chelsea. light

Mateo Kovacic (No. 17) Central midfielder, Croatia

Kovacic did not start the game against Liverpool and while many may have been surprised, it ultimately turned out to be the correct decision. Tuchel has shown he considers every game separately and he would not just use a game plan because it worked previously. Kovacic would be useful in breaking Everton’s press with his passing and dribbles. Many criticize him for not being a goal threat, but he doesn’t need to be. Everyone cannot be on the pitch to score goals, when goals aren’t being scored, other things are being done, and some players are needed to do those other things.

Marcos Alonso (No. 3) Left wing back, Spain

Alonso returned to the line-up after being out of it for five months. He scored on his return to the side and has retained his place. He has played quite well, regardless of what many twitter gaffers have to say. Alonso’s movement has been quite good in the final third, and he has made his fair share of defensive contributions. He has understandably been left out the last two matches, considering the opponents and the requirements of the team. He has had to withstand a lot of unfair criticism and abuse. Many feel the need to play the pace card whenever he plays, forgetting that you cannot make yourself fast at will and ignoring the fact that Alonso’s has excellent defensive positioning. He has been rotated with Ben Chilwell and that is fair considering they both have different strengths and those strengths are needed against different opponents.

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