The last time Chelsea faced Manchester United, the Blues made it so needlessly difficult for themselves that many fans felt as if they lost the game, despite drawing it 1-1. Chelsea needs to win this game to put a more satisfying distance between itself and Arsenal in the Premier League table as the season comes to a close.
Here’s who The Pride of London thinks Thomas Tuchel selects to start this game:
Edouard Mendy (No. 16) Goalkeeper, Senegal
Edouard Mendy is on course to beat his clean sheet tally from last season. He has only played 28 out of the 32 league games this season too, which makes this feat even more impressive. He currently has 13 clean sheets and he finished last season with 16. Mendy needs just four clean sheets in the next six games to surpass last season’s total. This is achievable, but it won’t be easy for the Senegalese keeper. In fact, despite being out of the Champions League, Mendy still has a good chance of ending the season with the UEFA Champions League Golden Glove. He also ranks second for the least goals conceded per game in the UCL. In the Premier League, Mendy ranks joint-third for least goals conceded per game and also ranks joint-third in clean sheets.
Andreas Christensen (No. 4) Right centerback, Denmark
Andreas Christensen likely starts at right centerback for Chelsea in this one. His last appearance was a first-half nightmare against Arsenal, after which he was pulled out of his misery. He was benched and an unused against West Ham due to a slight problem, according to the manager. He may return for his passing and anticipation to combat the intelligent Man United forwards.
Thiago Silva (No. 6) Centerback, Brazil
Thiago Silva started against West Ham and he was superb, as usual. This comes after he came on for Christensen in the second half of the Arsenal game. He was ineffective against Arsenal. His presence against West Ham helped the Blues control one aspect of the game: defense. Chelsea’s offense was horrendous in that game, but thanks to Silva and the defense, the team did not have two things to worry about, making substitutions easy.
Antonio Rudiger (No. 2) Left centerback, Germany
Antonio Rudiger will probably be fit for this game, though it’s more than likely subject to a late fitness test. It is mostly confirmed now that Rudiger will be leaving for Real Madrid at the end of this season, though nobody knows what salary he has agreed to with the Spanish giants. Rudiger will be missed by large sections of the fanbase and undoubtedly Tuchel.
Reece James (No. 24) Right wingback, England
Reece James has started games at right wingback, but ended them as the right centerback, several times lately. This, though, is credit to the Englishman. His contributions this season have helped the Blues get to where they are now. You could also make the point that the injury he suffered is directly responsible for where Chelsea is currently. The Blues have felt James’ presence and especially his absence.
Jorginho (No. 5) Central midfielder, Italy
Jorginho is likely to partner N’Golo Kante in big games and this is one of those games. Jorginho has had a topsy-turvy season; he has been knocked out of the Champions League and has also been knocked out of the World Cup finals with Italy. He leads Chelsea in tackles plus interceptions in both the Premier League and the UCL though. Jorginho and Kante together give Chelsea a better chance of winning the ball back more than the opposition, meaning Jorginho will be able to control the game with his passing.
N’Golo Kante (No. 7) Central midfielder, France
Kante was one of Chelsea’s better players against West Ham. His drive, dribbling and passing were very good. The Blues’ control of the Man United match will hinge on how well they can win the ball back and Kante will be crucial to that. Kante ranks second at the club in tackles plus interceptions in the Premier League this season, behind only the aforementioned Jorginho.
Marcos Alonso (No. 3) Left wingback, Spain
Marcos Alonso was directly responsible for Chelsea’s breakthrough against West Ham. His perfect low cross passed through two Hammers, who tried to intercept it but couldn’t. Alonso actually ranks joint-second in tackles plus interceptions per game in the Premier League for Chelsea this season. The narrative around him is that he can’t defend and he is only useful going forward. The more recent narrative is that he offers nothing going forward. The numbers suggest that that is far from the truth. Alonso has created six clear cut chances. The person with the most clear cut chances has just three more than him. He also ranks joint-fourth for assists in the Premier League for the Blues with James tallying just two more assists.
Kai Havertz (No. 29) Right striker, Germany
Kai Havertz has not scored in his last four games for Chelsea and yet he is still the club’s highest goalscorer in all competitions. He started the West Ham game and he was underwhelming. Fatigue may have a lot to do with his performances lately because he has played too many games in too little time. The Blues have played five matches in 15 days and Havertz has started in four of those and appeared in all. The fact that I am still predicting the wunderkind to start has more to do with Tuchel than me as he seems set on starting the striker.
Mason Mount (No. 19) Central attacking midfielder, England
Knowing Chelsea will be playing against a Ralf Rangnick team, Tuchel will want to make sure Mason Mount is on the pitch for his pressing. The Blues need to match the intensity of the Red Devils, regardless of how good they think Rangnick’s men are. In addition to this, Mount has been the most productive attacker this season, scoring more goals, providing more assists and creating more big chances than any other Chelsea player in the Premier League. Objectively speaking though, the Blues’ forwards have not been very productive this season. If Chelsea gets its pressing right, it’ll get plenty chances to score—great chances too.
Timo Werner (No. 11) Left striker, Germany
Timo Werner has had a reawakening in recent weeks. He has had four goals, two assists and three big chances created in his last five games. He was the reason Chelsea had any hope of getting past Real Madrid in the quarterfinals of the Champions League. Werner deserves to start for the Blues as things stand, as he is one of the most in-form attackers. He has had fewer minutes this season compared to other Chelsea forwards but he’s kept working at his form.
Many questioned his footballing ability—despite how much he proved himself at RB Leipzig. Not that long ago, many fans were preparing for life without the German. However, Werner is turning the corner and that’s why Tuchel should keep selecting him ahead of a pivotal summer transfer window that’ll include some tough decisions.
Who makes your predicted XI? Let us know your thoughts in the comments or on Twitter!