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Chelsea at Lille OSC predicted XI: Hakim Ziyech at wingback in 3-4-3

By Olaoluwa Nwobodo

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 22: N'Golo Kante of Chelsea FC and Xeka of Lille OSC in action during the UEFA Champions League Round Of Sixteen Leg One match between Chelsea FC and Lille OSC at Stamford Bridge on February 22, 2022 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 22: N'Golo Kante of Chelsea FC and Xeka of Lille OSC in action during the UEFA Champions League Round Of Sixteen Leg One match between Chelsea FC and Lille OSC at Stamford Bridge on February 22, 2022 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images) /
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Chelsea’s US midfielder Christian Pulisic celebrates after scoring a goal during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg football match between Chelsea and Lille (LOSC) at Stamford Bridge stadium, in London, on February 22, 2022. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP) (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Chelsea’s US midfielder Christian Pulisic celebrates after scoring a goal during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg football match between Chelsea and Lille (LOSC) at Stamford Bridge stadium, in London, on February 22, 2022. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP) (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images) /

Kai Havertz (No. 29) Right winger, Germany

Kai Havertz ranks top three for goal scorers in the Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup. He’s joint-top goalscorer in all competitions (11) for the Blues, interestingly, alongside new arrival Romelu Lukaku. He scored just one goal in the Champions League last season, he’s already scored two this season and he still has six potential games to go (assuming Chelsea reaches the final). He has been rightly criticized for his form and production since he arrived, but he’s now delivering on those too. He’s keeping Lukaku out of the side at the moment and considering Lukaku is Chelsea’s most expensive player and highest earner, that’s a difficult thing to do.

Romelu Lukaku (No. 9) Striker, Belgium

Romelu Lukaku has been on the bench for Chelsea’s last three games. He’ll undoubtedly be unhappy about it, however, he cannot call it unfair as his replacement has scored four goals in the three games he’s sat. Admittedly, the Belgian is doing many things right, but he needs to work on his off-the-ball movement. Yes, he has to be the focal point and the target man sometimes, but that’s just sometimes. He needs to put himself in a lot more positions to get chances. He has just five goals in the league, which is poor for how many minutes he’s played, however, there’s still a lot of time to get at least 15+ league goals. Nevertheless, he and his teammates have to start working consciously to make that happen. Chelsea needs to cross the ball more when he’s on the pitch and the Blues have several very good crosses of the ball. He’s joint-second for goals in the Champions League though, which further proves that he’s doing many things right.

Christian Pulisic (No. 10) Left winger, United States

Christian Pulisic will likely get a well-deserved start in this contest after netting the Blues’ second goal the last time out in the Champions League. Pulisic’s silky smooth winner helped Chelsea double its advantage over Lille, despite the visitors playing quite well. The left wing spot is up for grabs at the moment, but it’s the American who gets the nod thanks to some solid form.

Next. Tactics and Transfers: Sanctions, the Premier League and Chelsea’s future. dark

All statistics from SofaScore unless otherwise stated. Who do you think starts in the Blues’ all-important second leg match-up with Lille in the Champions League Round of 16? Let us know your thoughts in the comments or on Twitter!

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