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Chelsea Predicted XI vs Manchester United: Still 3-4-2-1 without Lukaku

By Olaoluwa Nwobodo

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 28: Luke Shaw of Manchester United is challenged by Hakim Ziyech of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on February 28, 2021 in London, 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 Ian Walton - Pool/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 28: Luke Shaw of Manchester United is challenged by Hakim Ziyech of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on February 28, 2021 in London, 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 Ian Walton - Pool/Getty Images) /
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Chelsea’s English midfielder Callum Hudson-Odoi reacts after missing a chance during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge in London on February 28, 2021. (Photo by Andy Rain / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by ANDY RAIN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Chelsea’s English midfielder Callum Hudson-Odoi reacts after missing a chance during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge in London on February 28, 2021. (Photo by Andy Rain / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by ANDY RAIN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

Hakim Ziyech (No. 22) Right attacking midfielder, Morocco

Not many Chelsea forwards are in form at the moment, but the Moroccan is certainly one of those that is. In his last two games, he has created five chances, with three of them being clear cut chances. He has been on corners, but none of his clear cut chances have been from corners. Ziyech needed to fight his way back into the lineup with substitute minutes, and he did, having started just one of his last two games. Other than chance creation, Ziyech has also been contributing in many other ways.  Against Juventus in midweek, Ziyech led the team in pressures, and either ranked first or second in shot creating actions, goal creating actions and progressive passes. He also made more recoveries than anyone else. Tuchel swiftly dispelled the rumors that Ziyech had either indicated an interest to leave or that the club had discussed moving the Moroccan on.

Callum Hudson-Odoi (No. 20) Left attacking midfielder, England

Hudson-Odoi is another attacker that has been in form. He has been one of Chelsea’s most creative players this season. He created three big chances against Burnley, and was unfortunate to not even get one assist. The idea that Chelsea needs to recruit creative players/more creative players is a myth. Chelsea has all the creators they need, they just need to use them. Tuchel deserves a lot of credit for giving Hudson-Odoi the chances when the opportunity presented itself, because his decision to keep the youngster was going to bring a lot of heat if he didn’t give him chances. Hudson-Odoi also deserves credit for taking his chances.

Christian Pulisic (No. 10) Center forward, United States

Pulisic’s willingness to make runs between and behind the opposition defensive line might prove to be very useful against Manchester United, especially with Ziyech playing those balls through to him. Pulisic makes it easy for chance creators to create chances. He got on the end of two clear cut chances created by Ziyech against Leicester City at the King Power Stadium. Tuchel may also deploy the American to exploit the Harry Maguire half of Manchester United centerback partnership, seeing as the American is likely to be much more agile and faster than the Englishman.

Thomas Tuchel's top of the table Chelsea is still hunting. dark. Next

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