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Chelsea vs Al Hilal predicted XI: 4-1-4-1 to get to Club World Cup final?

By Olaoluwa Nwobodo

Chelsea's Italian midfielder Jorginho gestures on the pitch after the English FA Cup fourth round football match between Chelsea and Plymouth Argyle at Stamford Bridge in London on February 5, 2022. - Chelsea won the game 2-1 after extra time. - 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 Glyn KIRK / 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 GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
Chelsea's Italian midfielder Jorginho gestures on the pitch after the English FA Cup fourth round football match between Chelsea and Plymouth Argyle at Stamford Bridge in London on February 5, 2022. - Chelsea won the game 2-1 after extra time. - 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 Glyn KIRK / 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 GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 05: Marcus Alonso of Chelsea celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal of the game during the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Chelsea and Plymouth Argyle at Stamford Bridge on February 05, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 05: Marcus Alonso of Chelsea celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal of the game during the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Chelsea and Plymouth Argyle at Stamford Bridge on February 05, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images) /

Thomas Tuchel’s decision to field a team of Chelsea starters against Plymouth Argyle in the FA Cup turned out to be the right one, even though the Blues needed a goal from their substitute Marcos Alonso to win. No Chelsea player had played a game in two weeks and they were therefore lacking match fitness. If the starters were lacking match fitness at the time, how much more of the “B Team” did many expect Tuchel to field? A decision to start a weakened squad could have meant the Blues would be out of the FA Cup like their red friends in Manchester. Chelsea played well, though a lack of composure on the end of moves meant it didn’t score as much as it deserved to in the end. Nevertheless, that doesn’t take away from the overall performance.

Chelsea now heads into a FIFA Club World Cup that it’s yet to win in the club’s history. Therefore, Tuchel—well, his staff who steps in while he’s in isolation—will want to do everything it can to make sure the club brings the trophy back to Stamford Bridge.

Who does the Blues’ staff give the go ahead to start in this semifinal contest against Al Hilal?

Kepa Arrizabalaga (No. 1) Goalkeeper, Spain

Kepa Arrizabalaga has been on top of his game since Tuchel arrived, going from shootout hero to hero outright after preventing Plymouth from drawing level with a superb save. Chelsea WAS in safe hands in the absence of the giant Senegalese shot-stopper and for a variety of reasons, Arrizabalaga is likely to be between the sticks for the Blues in their Club World Cup semifinal tie.

Cesar Azpilicueta (No. 28) Right back, Spain

Cesar Azpilicueta gave Chelsea the lead against Plymouth with the deftest of finishes; a back heel from right in front a Plymouth defender and goalkeeper. They didn’t know what hit them. I said many fans were giving the Chelsea Spanish fullbacks a hard time and it was totally uncalled for. It took a Gianfranco Zola-esque goal from one of these “non-dynamic” fullbacks to score. He took seven shots in the game too. Azpilicueta may be nothing like Reece James, but he‘s perfectly capable of handling the right fullback spot when called upon.

Thiago Silva (No. 6) Centerback, Brazil

Thiago Silva couldn’t play against Plymouth, but he’ll be available for selection in this tie. You get the feeling Tuchel will be going for as strong a line-up as possible without overplaying some players who played the full 120 minutes in the FA Cup fourth round on Saturday. Silva’s presence will be key to Chelsea staying on top of its opponents for major parts of the game. The Blues’ midfielders and forwards have more liberty to go forward with the Brazilian in the team as they can be sure Silva will deal with any ball that gets through the midfield.

Antonio Rudiger (No. 2) Centerback, Germany

Antonio Rudiger was OK against Plymouth, though he should take a large chunk of the responsibility for the goal the Blues conceded as it was right from the center of the penalty box; an area Rudiger should be occupying. Overall, his distribution was good and he tried some intelligent long balls over the defensive line in an attempt to send a Chelsea forward running through on goal. It never came off, but it’s the thought that counts.

Marcos Alonso (No. 3) Left back, Spain

Isn’t it poetic that the most criticized fullbacks in the squad produce the goods that see off League One Plymouth? It’s a Chelsea thing. Marcos Alonso also played very well, in addition to the goal.

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