Chelsea predicted XI: The best team the Blues can field (currently)

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Chelsea’s English defender Reece James (L) vies with Brighton’s English defender Dan Burn during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Brighton and Hove Albion at Stamford Bridge in London on April 20, 2021. – 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 Mike Hewitt / POOL / 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. / 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 MIKE HEWITT/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

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

This is arguably big call number two. Callum Hudson-Odoi has been a fantastic wingback, but he hasn’t feature as often in recent weeks as he did initially. James seems to be preferred when the opponent has some technique to them, though starting James comes at the cost of Hudson-Odoi’s ability to attack. If the goal is to get a squad in match form together for Real Madrid, the nod has to go to James.

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

Tuchel seemingly has no preferred midfield pair as he rotates between three players pretty consistently. With Mateo Kovacic out, Tuchel’s only options are to play the two remaining, try Mason Mount in midfield (it didn’t work but not because of Mount), or play Billy Gilmour whom he’s given no indication of trusting. So, Kante is one of the pair that is going to have to go the distance in these next two matches.

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Jorginho (No. 5) Central Midfielder, Italy

Jorginho has been his usual enigma of a player as of late. The main issue with Jorginho is people get so caught up in the narratives around him (he is amazing versus why is he even playing) that his actual abilities get lost in the tide. At the end of the day he has been a very good player in Tuchel’s 3-4-3 with a few limitations that sometimes make Kante or Kovacic a better option. But as already mentioned, no Kovacic basically forces Tuchel’s hand with this selection.

Ben Chilwell (No. 21) Left wingback, England

Quietly, Chilwell has seemingly usurped the left sided spot back for himself. Marcos Alonso has been great at it but Chilwell is somewhat more creative at the cost of attack while being about as good defensively but with speed over guile. Alonso still has a role to play but, unlike the right sided spot, Chilwell has more going for him in all categories to get the nod.

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