Chelsea vs Tottenham preseason predicted XI: Do we see a 3-4-1-2?

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Chelsea’s French-born Senegalese goalkeeper Edouard Mendy (R) gestures to Chelsea’s German defender Antonio Rudiger (L) during the pre-season friendly football match between Arsenal and Chelsea at The Emirates Stadium in north London on August 1, 2021. (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images) /

Chelsea goes into its third televised preseason at Stamford Bridge against a Tottenham Hotspur side that is definitely busier in the transfer window that the Champions League winners. The Blues have won all of their preseason games so far, with different line-ups and heavy rotation after 45 minutes. This is good, as the players are gaining match fitness while winning games. Chelsea and Spurs obviously would want more out of this game than just great match fitness, but who does Tuchel give the nod this time?

Here is The Pride of London‘s predicted XI for the second match of The Mind Series:

Edouard Mendy (No. 16) Goalkeeper

Edouard Mendy played well against Arsenal. He is being prepared for the season, hence he should start again. His distribution was good and he was alert throughout. He still needs more minutes to get sufficient match sharpness. Mendy is the clear No. 1 choice, and the club’s back-ups will be tested sufficiently when the Senegalese does leave for AFCON in early 2022.

Kurt Zouma (No. 15) Right centerback

Kurt Zouma played well against Arsenal. It was his first showing since last season, having not played a single minute at the 2020 European Championships for France. He needed the minutes to get some game time under his belt. Uncertainty still hangs in the air over his future, but he’s moved enough times that he wouldn’t let that distract him from what he should be focused on: preparing for the new season with the Blues.

Trevoh Chalobah, Centerback

Trevoh Chalobah almost played the full 90 minutes at Arsenal. He played at the center of a back three and was fairly comfortable throughout. He comes from a successful loan at Ligue 1 with Lorient where he played several positions—including centerback and defensive midfield. Tuchel might be trying to experiment with a formation where he fluidly changes to a 4-3-3 mid-game, where Chalobah slots into midfield as the deepest central midfielder in the midfield three. Chalobah is making a good case to be in Tuchel’s plans for the 2021/22 season.

Antonio Rudiger (No. 2) Left centerback

Antonio Rudiger’s status has grown over the past six months, and rightly so. He was instrumental in achieving the club’s objectives last season. He played a much-needed 45 minutes against Arsenal. It was no surprise to see him wear the armband for the Blues. Rudiger’s contract situation in still shrouded in uncertainty but he seems focused on the new season regardless.

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