Chelsea travels to Sweden to take on the country’s reigning champion in Malmo as the Blues look to continue their title defense. They will definitely remember the reverse fixture of this, not for the 4-0 win, but for the two injuries to their two center forwards within minutes of one another. Thomas Tuchel seems to have found a way to cope with the loss of his strikers though.
All of that said, who does the gaffer trust to pick up against Malmo where the Blues left off?
Edouard Mendy (No. 16) Goalkeeper, Senegal
Edouard Mendy had little to do against Newcastle and that was more down Newcastle’s choice rather than Chelsea’s superb defending. The Magpies decided to sit back and make things difficult for the Blues in the final third and they nearly succeeded. Mendy has kept more clean sheets than any other Premier League goalkeeper in the Champions League. He may well be on his way to match the record in the Champions League last season, where he kept nine clean sheets.
Trevor Chalobah (No. 14) Right centerback, England
Trevoh Chalobah likely comes in for this match, as there’s need to rotate where possible in the wake of recent injuries. Chalobah has looked very good for Chelsea this season and it is good to see academy graduates taking their opportunities when presented with them. Chelsea’s back line looks settled, regardless of who is put in there, and more so when it’s Chalobah. Chalobah has already won the UEFA Super Cup with the Blues, he’s definitely on his way to winning a lot more.
Andreas Christensen (No. 4) Centerback, Denmark
Andreas Christensen is likely starts this one as Thiago Silva is probably going to be rested. Christensen was a bit one dimensional with his passing and he wasn’t switching play enough against Newcastle. He has been near flawless since coming into the side under Tuchel last season and it is good to see Chelsea’s centerbacks performing as this level. Not long ago many were convinced the Blues needed several “world class centerbacks,” whatever that was. Now, many of those same people are clamoring for the Danish wall to be given “what he wants” regarding the current contract talks being held between he and the club
Antonio Rudiger (No. 2) Left centerback, Germany
Antonio Rudiger is another one who got a new lease of life when Tuchel arrived. He was out in the cold for almost the entire season, and only made consecutive starts under Frank Lampard the last week Lampard spent as Chelsea manager. Rudiger definitely fits Tuchel’s system more, often being the more advanced of the three centerbacks, which was especially evident against Newcastle. He’s an excellent ball carrier and a very good passer of the ball. All these skills make him a key part of how Chelsea attacks and defends.