Chelsea predicted XI at Man City: How will Tuchel counter Pep’s 4-3-3?

Chelsea's German head coach Thomas Tuchel (R) celebrates with Chelsea's German defender Antonio Rudiger after the English FA Cup semi-final football match between Chelsea and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium in north west London on April 17, 2021. - Chelsea won 1-0. - 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 Ben STANSALL / 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 BEN STANSALL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

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Chelsea’s English defender Ben Chilwell (L) tackles Manchester City’s Portuguese defender Joao Cancelo (R) during the English FA Cup semi-final football match between Chelsea and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium in north west London on April 17, 2021. (Photo by IAN WALTON/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

Reece James (No. 24) Right wingback, England

Reece James has been making substitute appearances recently, but that’s because his competition is the captain—who offers so much to the team that benching him would take more from—than it will give to the team. James has played well though. Cesar Azpilicueta needs a rest because he has started the majority of the last few games. James is not the finished product yet, despite the claims of him being the best right back in the league. James is only 21 years old, so he’ll only get better from here. It’s scary to think about really.

Jorginho (No. 5) Central midfielder, Italy

Jorginho was very good against Real Madrid, drawing praise from even his fiercest detractors. Jorginho was finally recognized for how much he contributed, rather than vilified for the times he couldn’t contribute. Much of the frustration with Jorginho comes from listening to fans who make up flimsy excuses to protect players from criticism. “His job is not to defend” is rubbish excuse really. No one should have taken that quote seriously. Jorginho is a defensive midfielder, his job is absolutely to defend. There’s a reason it’s in the name. Jorginho does defend, and quite well too

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

N’Golo Kante was man of the match in yet another Champion League semifinal match (that has to be a record). He registered the most defensive actions and created the most chances. His performance in the attacking third was a stark contrast to what it was in the first leg of the Champions League semifinal tie.

Ben Chilwell (No. 21) Left wingback, England

Ben Chilwell has started the last three games, but he’s more than likely to start this one as well, as this doesn’t look like the kind of match to place Marcos Alonso in. Manchester City have been playing a false-9 formation recently, this means that they rely on pace for counters and City have enough fast players to hurt Chelsea on the break. Tuchel is all too aware of that.

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