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

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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

James came on in place of the captain in the midweek Champions League match. Tuchel had three matches to think about, so he likely was being tested for this game. James has been playing well, and his physical attributes would come in handy against a physical team like Fulham. His build gives him an advantage in winning duels and his technique in crosses would help Chelsea with chance creation.

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

Many may disagree, but Kante’s performance was a mixed bag. To be fair to him, he’s not a creative midfielder. Nonetheless it has to be said that he made some poor decisions in the final third and in transition several times. He misplaced some crucial passes, which is disappointing for a player of his level. He did contest 17 ground duels though, winning just eight of them and completing eight out of eight attempted dribbles. He helped Chelsea contain – and at certain points – dominate Madrid’s midfield. He’s still Chelsea’s best defensive midfielder and he should start whenever fit, especially in a two-man midfield.

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Jorginho (No. 5) Central midfielder, Italy

Mateo Kovacic remains out. Had Billy Gilmour been getting minutes, he’d likely be match fit enough to step in and give someone a break for Fulham. Gilmour hasn’t gotten those minutes though so the choice comes down to sticking with the same pair or Mason Mount in midfield. Mount in midfield didn’t go so well last time and he is likely overdue a break, so look for Jorginho to line up again and hope he holds up.

Marcos Alonso (No. 3) Left wingback, Spain

Alonso has benefitted the most from a change in management and he has fit like a glove in the new system. His movement and actions in and out of possession has been made efficiently. Ben Chilwell has improved quite a lot in the role and is unsurprisingly first choice now for Tuchel, given his speed and athleticism. Chilwell has played a fair few games recently though, so he needs to be rested for the second leg of the Champions League tie against Real Madrid, therefore Alonso probably starts.

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