One of the most common trends on social media during transfer windows reappears every year when a plethora of fans build what they believe is their team’s best starting XI. These team sheets usually include newly acquired stars and young phenoms in abundance, as opposed to reliable veterans. Chelsea fans jumped on this bandwagon during July and August as the Blues became linked with names like Romelu Lukaku and Jules Kounde. These posts usually brew into heated debates amongst supporters, but it’s all rather silly considering the only people who have any true outlook on the situation are those in preseason camps or board rooms.
In many ways, fans and pundits have been urged by Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel to not read too much into the starting XIs thus far. The absence of Ben Chilwell in particular has raised eyebrows in recent weeks around SW6. The German manager has said it’s nothing more than the fact he’s not match fit just yet, so it’s likely he gets a run out against Aston Villa on September 11. The three-man defense isn’t in the same boat. The early season has revealed Tuchel’s plans to continue lining his side up in a 3-4-3, but that’s not all. The personnel along the back line is also not expected to change.
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Thomas Tuchel has left important players like Ben Chilwell out of the Chelsea starting XI so far, but the big game defense is here to stay
It’s important to preface the following analysis with some context. The Blues are going to play 60+ matches this season in all likelihood. It goes without saying Tuchel won’t turn to an unchanged XI in every contest. Chelsea has built one of the deepest squads in Europe for that exact reason. The starting line-ups will remain fluid throughout the year and if everything goes according to plan, the rotated team on the pitch week-to-week will hardly skip a beat. Nevertheless, for the big matches—which we’ve seen a few of already at the Emirates and Anfield—the Blues will send out a familiar trio at the back.
The easiest and most obvious selection amongst the aforementioned group is Antonio Rudiger. Chelsea sold the only individual that has notable experience playing at left centerback in Kurt Zouma. Of course, that is unless the Blues plan on keeping Malang Sarr around for the upcoming season, in which case the young Frenchman could fill the spot in Rudiger’s absence. Regardless, Rudiger ascended up to the elite ranks in Tuchel’s back three. The German has yet to put a foot wrong in the eight months he’s played in the system. He went from a bench player to a top notch defender in a matter of weeks. Contract talks aside, there is no doubt who Chelsea’s starting left centerback should be going forward. His four starts in four are a telling sign Tuchel feels the same.
Jumping over to the opposite side, Cesar Azpilicueta is the surefire starter at right centerback. A lot of fans doubted his status in the starting XI due to the Kounde rumors. It’s now September 4, the Frenchman is still under contract with Sevilla and the Chelsea skipper retains his place. Azpilicueta has become known as Mr. Reliable over the years for his consistently good form no matter where he plays across the back line. The Crystal Palace opener showed Tuchel plans to rotate both he and Trevoh Chalobah—quite consistently if one had to guess—throughout the year. As it stands though, Azpilicueta is still the out-and-out best defender at the club. Until he shows a dip in form or aging athletic abilities (or lack thereof), the club captain will start when the season is on the line.
The biggest personnel debate from last season has now carried over into this year though.
Many people (myself included) believe it’s Andreas Christensen’s time. Despite always being touted as the next John Terry, the Dane has failed to live up to expectations throughout his Chelsea career. He’s had great spells and tough times but the last two seasons have proven he’s turned a corner. Christensen stepped up big time in Thiago Silva’s absence numerous times down the stretch last campaign, including a lengthy cameo in the Champions League final. Silva’s outing at Anfield last Saturday put his class on display for the world to see. There’s no doubting the legendary centerback, it’s just simply time for Christensen to finally fulfill his legacy.
Christensen has started in three of the four competitive matches the Blues have taken part in to begin this season (the UEFA Super Cup absence being due to his late return from Euro 2020). At the end of the day, Silva’s lack of minutes could boil down to having the ‘Ben Chilwell syndrome’ of not being fit to start in the eyes of the manager. The Aston Villa clash will go a long way in testing this theory, but there’s no denying Christensen’s immense talent. A late bloomer, the 25-year-old is beginning to fill the shoes of the Captain, Leader, Legend before him as he prepares to put pen to paper on a long-term extension. This contract renewal is a sign—no pun intended—of the significant role Christensen is set to play this season. Silva will get minutes throughout the season but Christensen seems to be the man going forward.
There is a lot of uncertainty about the long-term future of the Blues’ back line. As it stands, four of the five centerbacks discussed in this piece are on expiring deals. All but Silva are in talks with the club regarding extensions, that’s a topic for another day though. Chelsea is in safe hands with its current core of stars, especially when the lights shine brightest.
Who do you think starts in Chelsea’s back line for the biggest bouts of the campaign? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter!