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Chelsea at Tottenham predicted XI: 3-4-1-2 with Timo-kaku?

By Olaoluwa Nwobodo

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 04: NGolo Kante of Chelsea FC and Dele Alli of Tottenham Hotspur in action during the Pre Season Friendly between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge on August 04, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Chloe Knott - Danehouse/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 04: NGolo Kante of Chelsea FC and Dele Alli of Tottenham Hotspur in action during the Pre Season Friendly between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge on August 04, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Chloe Knott - Danehouse/Getty Images) /
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LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – AUGUST 28: Sadio Mane of Liverpool battles for possession with Thiago Silva of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Chelsea at Anfield on August 28, 2021 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – AUGUST 28: Sadio Mane of Liverpool battles for possession with Thiago Silva of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Chelsea at Anfield on August 28, 2021 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /

Chelsea travels to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday to inflict more humiliation on Nuno Espirito Santo’s Spurs. The Blues have started the season very well so who does Tuchel select to start against Tottenham?

Edouard Mendy (No. 16) Goalkeeper, Senegal

Chelsea’s two clean sheets in the last two games show how well Edouard Mendy has played in those contests. The Blues were particularly shaky against Aston Villa and they were subpar against Zenit St. Petersburg, as well. Mendy made six saves against Villa to keep out the Villians as he recorded his third league clean sheet of the season. He’s the only keeper of an English club that kept a clean sheet in the opening day of the 2021/2022 Champions League campaign too. Mendy has been a wall between the sticks so far for the Blues.

Cesar Azpilicueta (No. 28) Right centerback, Spain

Cesar Azpilicueta didn’t feature against Villa and wasn’t great against Zenit, but he remedied his performance with a perfect cross to Romelu Lukaku, which the Belgian converted. Azpilicueta has been impeccable for Chelsea throughout his time at the club and it’s no surprise Tuchel rates him highly. The Spaniard still has many more games as first choice right centerback for the side.

Thiago Silva (No. 6) Centerback, Brazil

Thiago Silva did not play in Chelsea’s first game of the season, however, he did play against Villa. He was immense. He made a block that saved Chelsea from embarrassment while Saul was having problems adjusting to Premier League football. Silva’s minutes will have to be managed significantly this season and its clear Tuchel is already working toward that. As good as Silva is, it is risky and unwise to have a 36-year-old centerback as the rock of your defense.

Antonio Rudiger (No. 2) Left centerback, Germany

Antonio Rudiger has remained a staple in the new Chelsea side and rightly so. He’s very important to the way Tuchel plays. His speed, strength, aerial ability and passing are all qualities that the Blues cannot do without. He’s yet to make himself a presence in attacking corners. He’s Chelsea’s tallest player and the Blues should be creating way more goal scoring chances from corners than they currently are.

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