Chelsea at Middlesbrough predicted XI: Experimental 4-3-3

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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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. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images) /

Jorginho (No. 5) Defensive midfielder, Italy

Jorginho was very good against Lille, despite giving away a spot-kick in a dangerous area. It seems many still misunderstand the role the Italian plays in the team, they still look at his job as “he’s just there to make short passes in any direction and keep the team moving. I can do that!”

Some even mention Paris Saint-Germain’s Marco Verratti as being better than Jorginho at what Jorginho does. The fact that Jorginho played every minute in the Euros (including extra time) shows everyone that Roberto Mancini clearly doesn’t think Verratti is better at Jorginho’s job. There’s no shortage of central midfielders in the Italian national team, so Mancini doesn’t have to play Jorginho as often as he does in that role if he thinks there’s someone better. Once again, fans are ignoring evidence and just rolling with whatever narrative they want.

Saul (No. 17) Central midfielder, Spain

Saul has been tried in many different positions and it’s safe to say that central midfield suits him best. The Spaniard seems to have gotten most of his starts in this competition and it’s easy to see why. Saul is yet to displace any of the starting three central midfielders by merit, but he has played very well most times he’s been given an opportunity. He was superb against Luton Town, where he scored a magnificent shot from outside the area.

Mason Mount (No. 19) Central midfielder, England

Mason Mount would complement the other two midfielders in the middle of the park. The Englishman’s skillset is best suited to be a more attack-minded central midfielder. He has the technique, work rate and movement to occupy the No. 8 position. Tuchel doesn’t have many opportunities to play 4-3-3, but he’ll want to continue to experiment with and tweak the formation in this match. Expect Mount to be the third of the three-man midfield.

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