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Chelsea at Newcastle predicted XI: Another thriller with 3-4-2-1?

By Olaoluwa Nwobodo

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 23: Callum Hudson-Odoi of Chelsea celebrates after their side's fifth goal, an own goal scored by Max Aarons (Not pictured) during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Norwich City at Stamford Bridge on October 23, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 23: Callum Hudson-Odoi of Chelsea celebrates after their side's fifth goal, an own goal scored by Max Aarons (Not pictured) during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Norwich City at Stamford Bridge on October 23, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) /
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NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 21: Antonio Ruediger of Chelsea fist bumps teammate Edouard Mendy during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Chelsea at St. James Park on November 21, 2020 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Lindsey Parnaby – Pool/Getty Images)
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 21: Antonio Ruediger of Chelsea fist bumps teammate Edouard Mendy during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Chelsea at St. James Park on November 21, 2020 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Lindsey Parnaby – Pool/Getty Images) /

If there’s one takeaway from the Southampton game in the Carabao Cup, it is that Thomas Tuchel really does not trust his players in a two-centerback formation. Chelsea prevailed in a game that was as difficult as it was expected to be, winning on penalties. Kepa Arrizabalaga was the shootout hero once again, and indeed the hero of the night, because his heroics did not just start from the penalty shootout. Chelsea travels to St. James Park to take on the newly-acquired Newcastle United to continue their its push.

Who starts in this one after the Norwich demolition?

Edouard Mendy (No. 16) Goalkeeper, Senegal

Edouard Mendy has remained the hero for Premier League and Champions League games while Kepa Arrizabalaga has remained the hero for domestic cup games. Mendy currently leads all goalkeepers in the Premier League for goals prevented. This feat has seen Chelsea remain as the club in the Premier League with the joint-least goals allowed. He’s the best goalkeeper in the world, regardless of the metric used to judge.

Cesar Azpilicueta (No. 28) Right centerback, Spain

Cesar Azpilicueta did not feature against Southampton in the Carabao Cup game. He didn’t need to though, despite the Blues not winning it in 90 minutes. Azpilicueta easily has more Premier League appearances than the other Chelsea centerbacks combined. His leadership and organization of the back line is part of the reason Chelsea is where it is today. One of the first things Tuchel did when he arrived was to restore the skipper to the line-up, it’s easy to see why.

Thiago Silva (No. 6) Centerback, Brazil

Thiago Silva most likely starts, especially if Andreas Christensen is still out after dental surgery. The Brazilian is easily Chelsea’s most composed defenders in and out of possession. His intelligence and experience show every time he plays. His tenaciousness matches the opposition and his silky passing has become part of why the Blues can remain so comfortable in possession.

Antonio Rudiger (No. 2) Left centerback, Germany

Antonio Rudiger definitely returns to the line-up if fit. His role in the team is there for all to see. His contract situation is riling up lots of fans who have refused to acknowledge that contract talks are never easy and straightforward. This is especially the case in a team where the defense is consistently outperforming the attack, despite the attackers getting paid more—unsurprisingly. At the end of the day, Chelsea will do what is in the club’s best interests, though many fans may disagree on what that is.

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