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Chelsea vs Real Madrid predicted XI: 3-4-3 with Havertz up top

By Gabe Henderson

Chelsea's English midfielder Mason Mount leaves the pitch after being substituted off during the UEFA Champions League second leg semi-final football match between Chelsea and Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge in London on May 5, 2021. - Chelsea won the match 2-0. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
Chelsea's English midfielder Mason Mount leaves the pitch after being substituted off during the UEFA Champions League second leg semi-final football match between Chelsea and Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge in London on May 5, 2021. - Chelsea won the match 2-0. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images) /
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MADRID, SPAIN – APRIL 27 Cesar Azpilicueta of Chelsea battles for possession with Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid during the UEFA Champions League Semi Final First Leg match between Real Madrid and Chelsea FC at Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano on April 27, 2021 in Madrid, Spain. Sporting stadiums around Spain remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN – APRIL 27 Cesar Azpilicueta of Chelsea battles for possession with Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid during the UEFA Champions League Semi Final First Leg match between Real Madrid and Chelsea FC at Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano on April 27, 2021 in Madrid, Spain. Sporting stadiums around Spain remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) /

Reece James (No. 24) Right wingback, England

Real Madrid can consider itself lucky to have only seen Reece James come off the bench in last season’s encounters with Chelsea. It’s safe to assume Los Blancos won’t be as fortunate this time around. James is the most complete right back on the planet when he’s healthy, which seems to be the case following his cameo against Brentford at the weekend. James—alongside his compatriot and wingback opposite, Ben Chilwell—is crucial to the way the Blues play going forward. He’s established a great relationship with those in front of him and he’s a sneaky threat that always seems to get into goalscoring positions in the big moments.

N’Golo Kante (No. 7) Central midfielder, France

If Zinedine Zidane wasn’t silently waiting in the wings to take over for Didier Deschamps as the manager of the French National Team, it’d wouldn’t be a stretch to say he’s spent the last few months fighting off nightmares of N’Golo Kante. The versatile midfielder terrorized Zidane’s Real Madrid squad last year in the UCL semifinals with two Man of the Match performances. He’ll look to replicate those sensational outings with an encore or two this season.

Mateo Kovacic (No. 8) Central midfielder, Croatia

Mateo Kovacic has done something at Chelsea that he never got to in the Spanish capital: flourish. The Croatian has blossomed into the world class talent that football fans have been promised for the last few years. He’s become an integral part of how the Blues play through the middle of the park with his unmatched ability to carry the ball through defenders and pick out forwards in space. Kovacic has even added an attacking output to his game this year with two goals and five assists. It’ll be nice to have the 27-year-old in the team against his former club this season.

Marcos Alonso (No. 3) Left wingback, Spain

Marcos Alonso was extremely poor against the Bees, but the reality of the situation is he’s the best Chelsea has at this moment in time. The Spaniard is not a bad player by any stretch of imagination, he’s just criticized by fans so frequently due to his inconsistency. Luckily, Alonso always seems to turn up when the lights are brightest, be it whipping in an inch-perfect free kick or popping up at the far post for a sensational volley. The Blues will need Alonso at his best if they want any chance of advancing past the quarterfinal stage.

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