Chelsea predicted XI vs Bournemouth: Possible 4-2-2-2 for preseason

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LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 14: Ruben Loftus-Cheek of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Norwich City at Stamford Bridge on July 14, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images) /

Tiemoue Bakayoko, Central midfielder

Bakayoko spent one season at Chelsea and was never give a chance again. He has done well in the loan spells he’s had. Bakayoko arrived at Chelsea injured and was forced to thrown into the deep end because of injuries as well. He did not set the world alight but his performances were good in some cases, OK in some others and bad in some. Bakayoko was a victim of the pure eye test and the Watford red card sticks out in people’s minds. He’d be re-evaluated by Tuchel, like everyone else and it is yet to be decided if he’d play a role in Tuchel’s Chelsea this season.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Central midfielder

Loftus-Cheek seems to be progressing well on the fitness front. It’s difficult to say much on Loftus-Cheek at the moment because he didn’t have a sparkling loan at Fulham and he needs to be playing regularly. He, perhaps more than anyone, needs this match to build his fitness. His development has been severely disrupted by injuries and hopefully he can get out of it.

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Hakim Ziyech (No. 22) Right attacking midfielder

Ziyech scored a hat trick against Peterborough in Chelsea’s first preseason match. Yes, it is a preseason game but many players are fighting for a role, or in some cases a more regular role in the team. Ziyech may qualify as a player that Tuchel doesn’t know where to fit, except that he’s played the same position every time he’s played so maybe it’s a matter of Tuchel wanting more from their Moroccan. He also needs to build his fitness.

Callum Hudson-Odoi (No. 20) Left attacking midfielder

It’s important to remember the importance of preseason, which is fitness. Match fitness. Callum Hudson-Odoi has not played for Chelsea in a while, which is weird because he was playing a lot when Tuchel first came. No one knows why the youngster stopped playing, but this might be an opportunity for him to rectify that. Many fans think he needs a loan. Does he? This is a chance to prove that he doesn’t.

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