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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LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 04: Christian Pulisic of Chelsea during the pre season friendly between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge on August 4, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by James Williamson – AMA/Getty Images) /

Christian Pulisic (No. 10) Right wingback, United States

Unfortunately, the American may have to play a defensive role for the Blues once again in the absence of Reece James and Azpilicueta (both unavailable for different reasons). The former Borussia Dortmund winger has had better impact than his teammate, Callum Hudson-Odoi, in that role. Hudson-Odoi seems to lose several duels in defensive situations. At the end of the day, these players are not defenders, or even midfielders, so the fans can only ask them to try their best and accept whatever they get in each contest.

Mateo Kovacic (No. 8) Central midfielder, Croatia

Mateo Kovacic was sensational against Liverpool and his performance was crowned by his perfectly executed volley to pull Chelsea back into the fight. Kovacic missed 48 days from October 29 and altogether missed 11 games for the Blues in that period of time. In that time, his league assists record was left intact and his absence was felt. Deeply. The Liverpool game was an example of how different a team looks when a sharp, fully-fit Kovacic is in it.

Jorginho (No. 5) Central midfielder, Italy

Jorginho was brought on against Liverpool due to the injury to Trevoh Chalobah. He wasn’t great in that match but he will be crucial in this one. Conte is a brilliant coach, so he’ll likely have plans to stop the Blues from playing out of the defense. If Chelsea is to bypass that trap, it needs Jorginho’s calm head and intensity at the base of midfield.

Saul Niguez (No. 17) Left wingback, Spain

Marcos Alonso is most likely going to get a rest. Wingback is perhaps the most tasking position in this system. Saul has had considerably better performances lately, though after his first two starts that resulted in him being pulled at halftime twice, the only way to go was up. Saul changed clubs, environments and systems, he was expected to struggle. It was then surprising to see people react as harshly as they did when he did struggle. It is never reasonable to write a player off, especially after seeing them play twice and not knowing much about them prior.

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