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Chelsea Predicted XI vs Real Madrid: Trusted 3-4-3 in high stakes game

By Olaoluwa Nwobodo

Chelsea's German coach Thomas Tuchel gestures during the UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg football match between Real Madrid and Chelsea at the Alfredo di Stefano stadium in Valdebebas, on the outskirts of Madrid, on April 27, 2021. (Photo by JAVIER SORIANO / AFP) (Photo by JAVIER SORIANO/AFP via Getty Images)
Chelsea's German coach Thomas Tuchel gestures during the UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg football match between Real Madrid and Chelsea at the Alfredo di Stefano stadium in Valdebebas, on the outskirts of Madrid, on April 27, 2021. (Photo by JAVIER SORIANO / AFP) (Photo by JAVIER SORIANO/AFP via Getty Images) /
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MADRID, SPAIN – APRIL 27: Hakim Ziyech of Chelsea during the UEFA Champions League match between Real Madrid v Chelsea at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano on April 27, 2021 in Madrid Spain (Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN – APRIL 27: Hakim Ziyech of Chelsea during the UEFA Champions League match between Real Madrid v Chelsea at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano on April 27, 2021 in Madrid Spain (Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images) /

Hakim Ziyech (No. 22) Right attacking midfielder, Morocco

Ziyech came on in the 66th minute for the Blues in the reverse fixture of this tie and he didn’t affect the game much, not that he was given ample chance to. He had an average performance, none of our attackers could get near Real Madrid when they had figured out how to organize themselves in a back three. He has created four big chances in the Champions League this season, more than any other player, and with fewer minutes than most attackers in the lineup. He was a major reason Ajax knocked out Real Madrid in the Round of 16 of the 2018/19 Champions League season, scoring two goals in the tie. His experience is needed in this match. He has been in high stakes Champions league matches before, both in ones where he failed and ones where he succeeded.

Mason Mount (No. 19) Left attacking midfielder, England

Mount has been very good this season, though that hasn’t spilled over into the Champions League yet, but it’s understandable. Every other attacker in the team has had considerably more Champions League experience than him bar Tammy Abraham. Mount’s work rate is crucial to what Tuchel want to achieve in attack. His passing and ball-carrying is also an important trait he offers. He made a magnificent pass in the Fulham game that indicated that his final balls may have improved drastically, thanks to Ziyech. He was superb against Fulham overall. When Mount is fit, he starts, and understandably so.

Kai Havertz (No. 29) Center forward, Germany

If nothing else, Havertz deserves a chance to continue his good form. His movement and finishing against Fulham were top of the pile. Excellent. Yes, it’s Fulham, but his runs were excellent around and between their centerbacks and we currently don’t have someone who has exhibited the movement and finish Havertz did in that game. Werner has contributed greatly to this team, but Havertz has shown he can replicate Werner’s movement, and now he has shown he can finish too. Havertz seems to be the most obvious choice at center forward for this match.

Chelsea: Centerback, holding mid, or a goal scorer first?. dark. Next

Who do you expect to make the XI? Let us know in the comments and on Twitter!

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