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Chelsea Predicted XI vs Fulham: 3-4-3 with heavy rotation

By Olaoluwa Nwobodo

Chelsea's English midfielder Mason Mount (C) turns to celebrate after scoring the opening goal during the English Premier League football match between Fulham and Chelsea at Craven Cottage in London on January 16, 2021. (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. / (Photo by MIKE HEWITT/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Chelsea's English midfielder Mason Mount (C) turns to celebrate after scoring the opening goal during the English Premier League football match between Fulham and Chelsea at Craven Cottage in London on January 16, 2021. (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. / (Photo by MIKE HEWITT/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 10: Kurt Zouma of Chelsea celebrates with Cesar Azpilicueta after scoring their team’s third goal during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Chelsea at Selhurst Park on April 10, 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 Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 10: Kurt Zouma of Chelsea celebrates with Cesar Azpilicueta after scoring their team’s third goal during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Chelsea at Selhurst Park on April 10, 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 Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /

Chelsea welcome Fulham to Stamford Bridge. The Blues need a win to continue to decide their top-four fate. Tuchel’s men are coming from a hectic Champions League fixture so there’d definitely be some rotation. The reverse fixture of this tie saw the Blues barely scrape a win via a Mason Mount goal. Here’s who we think Tuchel trusts to ease past their west London neighbors comfortably:

Edouard Mendy (No. 16) Goalkeeper, Senegal

Mendy made no save in the Champions League tie against Real Madrid. To be far the Blues only faced one shot on target in the whole match and conceded a goal to a bicycle kick from Karim Benzema. The defense lost two aerial duels en route to that goal and there wasn’t much the Senegalese could do about that. Mendy has been a key figure in the Blues backline and while Kepa Arrizabalaga has played well under Tuchel too, Mendy is still undoubtedly first choice.

Cesar Azpilicueta (No. 28) Right centerback, Spain

Azpilicueta has been a main stay in this side and it’s easy to see why. His leadership and tenacity have played a key role in the Blues clean sheets. Azpilicueta has been putting his body on the line, tracking runners and running forward to contribute defensively. He has been moved to right wing back lately to deal with the threat of balls on behind, considering his height and aerial ability. It doesn’t matter where he plays, he needs to be on the pitch.

Kurt Zouma (No. 15) Centerback, France

Zouma is one goal away from being the joint highest goal scorer in the Premier League for Chelsea. That’s a good and bad thing. Zouma has been Chelsea’s only threat from corners all season, and despite him having the least number of minutes under Tuchel. He has been one of the casualties under Tuchel, going from being the most used centerback to being the least used one. He has kept his head down and delivered when called upon.

Andreas Christensen (No. 4), Left centerback, Denmark

Antonio Rudiger missing out due to injury puts Tuchel in somewhat of an awkward spot. He hasn’t really had a need or desire to test the waters with the left centerback position. The only other times Tuchel has made a change to the spot have been for Christensen, Emerson, and Kurt Zouma. Given Zouma will be used to give Thiago Silva a rest and Emerson is barely trusted, expect Christensen to line up on the left of defense this time around.

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