Chelsea vs Tottenham predicted XI: 3-4-1-2 for the Lukaku redemption

Chelsea's Brazilian defender Thiago Silva celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, on September 19, 2021. - - 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 JUSTIN TALLIS / 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. / 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 JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images) /

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Chelsea’s Brazilian defender Thiago Silva celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, on September 19, 2021. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images) /

Chelsea faces Tottenham Hotspur for the first time out of three this month. The EFL Cup is one of those trophies that no one is interested until you get close to the final, then you want it. The Blues have had a tradition of averaging a trophy every year for the past 18 years under the reign of Roman Abramovich, this cup presents them with an opportunity to take home their obligatory trophy per season (UEFA Super Cup not included). The Romelu Lukaku interview’s dust has settled, so who does Thomas Tuchel give the go ahead against Antonio Conte’s men?

Kepa Arrizabalaga (No. 1) Goalkeeper, Spain

Kepa Arrizabalaga, for the next month then some, will be Chelsea’s first choice goalkeeper. He has been superb this season, keeping a clean sheet in his only Premier League game this season. He single handedly kept Chelsea in the Carabao Cup game against Brentford and the UEFA Champions League contest against Zenit St. Petersburg. Many may want to convince themselves otherwise, but the Blues are in safe hands for the duration of time Edouard Mendy is absent.

Cesar Azpilicueta (No. 28) Right centerback, Spain

There’s been talk around Cesar Azpilicueta going to Barcelona in the summer. A top Spanish player playing for one of the biggest clubs in Spain sounds about right. The skipper has earned the right to leave on his own terms, so if he does decide to go and work with Xavi Hernandez, he should get the full blessing from the Chelsea community. Azpilicueta has shown what it means to be a Chelsea player, remaining consistent and churning out top performance after top performance, regardless of where the average fan may rank him amongst all-time right backs.

Thiago Silva (No. 6) Centerback, Brazil

Thiago Silva’s cool headed and ice-cold precision will be key against a Spurs side that Chelsea should expect to be well-drilled. Silva has become a main stay in the line-up, previously losing his place to Andreas Christensen, to the credit of the Dane. However, lately, Silva has been near flawless. Furthermore, the 37-year-old has decided to spend another year at Stamford Bridge.

Malang Sarr (No. 31) Left centerback, France

Malang Sarr has become the scapegoat for Chelsea’s unwanted results, regardless of how well he played. Sarr hasn’t been nearly as bad as suggested by many fans. Tuchel may decide to give the young Frenchman another start alongside a veteran like Silva. After all, Silva would be the best centerback Sarr has ever played alongside.

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