The Pride of London
Fansided

Chelsea vs Club America predicted XI: Does Sterling start in 4-3-3?

By Olaoluwa Nwobodo

Chelsea's Moroccan midfielder Hakim Ziyech (R) celebrates scoring the opening goal with his teammate Chelsea's German midfielder Kai Havertz (L) and Chelsea's English midfielder Callum Hudson-Odoi (C) during the UEFA Champions League group H football match Malmo FF v Chelsea FC in Malmo, Sweden on November 2, 2021. (Photo by Jonathan NACKSTRAND / AFP) (Photo by JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP via Getty Images)
Chelsea's Moroccan midfielder Hakim Ziyech (R) celebrates scoring the opening goal with his teammate Chelsea's German midfielder Kai Havertz (L) and Chelsea's English midfielder Callum Hudson-Odoi (C) during the UEFA Champions League group H football match Malmo FF v Chelsea FC in Malmo, Sweden on November 2, 2021. (Photo by Jonathan NACKSTRAND / AFP) (Photo by JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 3
Next
LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 11: Jorginho of Chelsea celebrates after scoring their side’s second goal during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Leeds United at Stamford Bridge on December 11, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 11: Jorginho of Chelsea celebrates after scoring their side’s second goal during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Leeds United at Stamford Bridge on December 11, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /

Jorginho (No. 5) Defensive midfielder, Italy

Jorginho is likely to start as the base midfielder as Tuchel will need someone to guide the youngsters in the line-up, especially the young midfielders. N’Golo Kante is absent due to his vaccination status. There is of course rumour that Chelsea could sell Jorginho, but Jorginho himself has refuted those claims saying he’s happy with the Blues and will stay. There’s the little problem of his contract right now and Chelsea needs sort that out as soon as possible to avoid losing him on a free transfer. Regardless, his experience will be key at the weekend.

Conor Gallagher (N/A) Central midfielder, England

Conor Gallagher will probably start because Tuchel likely wants to get the youngsters on the pitch as soon as possible. Gallagher is going to stay with Chelsea next season, but he knows that he won’t get even close to the playing time he got at Crystal Palace or West Brom unless he hugely impresses. However, it will not be for a lack of trust. Gallagher has decided against going elsewhere for the 2022/23 season, despite the allure of playing 30+ games a season. He was not short of suitors either, but he’ll still need some integration time with Chelsea if the Blues are to get the best out of him. He’s best suited to being the attack-minded central midfielder in a three-man midfield, as he doesn’t have the discipline to be a holding midfielder.

Mason Mount (No. 19) Central midfielder, England

Mason Mount will also get a chance to stretch his energetic legs. This will also be an opportunity to see if he and Gallagher can work together in the middle of the park, as they will likely play the same positions if Chelsea decides to move to a 4-3-3 permanently. The Blues will soon enter contract negotiations with Mount as his current contract expires in 2024. His contributions in the past two seasons have definitely earned him a contract in the £150-170,000 per week range, anything more would be excessive and ill-advised.

Home/Chelsea FC News