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Chelsea vs Southampton predicted XI: No choice but 3-4-2-1 again

By Olaoluwa Nwobodo

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 02: Trevoh Chalobah of Chelsea stretches for the ball whilst under pressure from Nathan Tella of Southampton during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Southampton at Stamford Bridge on October 02, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 02: Trevoh Chalobah of Chelsea stretches for the ball whilst under pressure from Nathan Tella of Southampton during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Southampton at Stamford Bridge on October 02, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 02: Trevoh Chalobah of Chelsea stretches for the ball whilst under pressure from Nathan Tella of Southampton during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Southampton at Stamford Bridge on October 02, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 02: Trevoh Chalobah of Chelsea stretches for the ball whilst under pressure from Nathan Tella of Southampton during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Southampton at Stamford Bridge on October 02, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images) /

Chelsea welcomes Southampton to Stamford Bridge on Tuesday in the Round of 16 of the Carabao Cup. The Blues had an eventful meeting with Saints a few weeks back in the league that featured a red card and even a Ross Barkley cameo. Chelsea tops the Premier League right now and has a good chance to top its Champions League group, as well, so a win here would do wonders for morale. The Blues competing for trophies on all fronts, so they have to get past Southampton in the League Cup, but who does Thomas Tuchel trust to do that?

Kepa Arrizabalaga (No. 1) Goalkeeper, Spain

Kepa Arrizabalaga has already started a game in this competition this season. He went on to save a penalty en route to Chelsea winning the ensuing shootout. Arrizabalaga’s attitude since Edouard Mendy arrived has been commendable. The Spaniard has given superb accounts of himself whenever he has started since Tuchel arrived, as well. He even started against Tottenham Hotspur in the league this season, where he kept a clean sheet.

Trevoh Chalobah (No. 14) Right centerback, England

Trevoh Chalobah is another individual who has had a good attitude this season. He had a near flawless Premier League debut where he scored, but was dropped as soon as more senior members were fit. He kept his head down and kept working. Now, the young defender ranks second for league goals this season within the Blues’ ranks. Chalobah has already started five out of nine league games this season and that’s a testament to how good he’s been when he’s started because players don’t keep playing in Tuchel’s system if they haven’t earned it.

Andreas Christensen (No. 4) Centerback, Denmark

Andreas Christensen didn’t see the pitch against Norwich City, and that’s perhaps because of this match. Yes, it’s a Carabao Cup Round of 16 game, but it’s Southampton and Chelsea has not had a field day against Saints recently. Christensen has been outstanding since the arrival of Tuchel last season and he’s primed to take over from Thiago Silva at the center of the Blues’ back line.

Malang Sarr (No. 31) Left centerback, France

Malang Sarr had a brilliant game against Brentford. This has to be said because better defenders have faced Brentford and none of them found it easy. In fact, many of them failed to keep a clean sheet. Sarr led the team in interceptions (5) and clearances (10). His safety first approach at the Brentford Community Stadium played a key role in Chelsea’s clean sheet. Brentford’s press was so well coordinated that toward the last 20 minutes of the match, the Blues almost couldn’t get out of their defensive third. Sarr more than deserves another start for Chelsea.

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