Chelsea vs Tottenham predicted XI: Another 4-3-3 against Spurs?

Supporters celebrate with Chelsea's English midfielder Mason Mount after team mate Chelsea's Brazilian defender Thiago Silva scored their second goal during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge in London on January 23, 2022. - 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 JUSTIN TALLIS / 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 JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images) /

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Chelsea’s Italian midfielder Jorginho (L) and Tottenham Hotspur’s Brazilian defender Emerson Royal compete during the second leg of the English League Cup semi final football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, in London on January 12, 2022. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/IKIMAGES/AFP via Getty Images) /

Reece James (No. 24) Right wingback, England

Reece James should guard against complacency as things stand, as he’s probably the only guaranteed starter. Mainly because there’s literally no one to play there if Tuchel decides against playing him. Ruben Loftus-Cheek came in for him against the Toffees and some fans agree that he played well, but Loftus-Cheek is a central midfielder, not a wingback.

James did not have a good game against Everton, but no one had a good game against Frank Lampard’s side, so put that in context. James is one of the few people many expected to show their quality on the pitch. He didn’t. Everyone saw how Tottenham Hotspur played against Southampton, and James will have to step up his game to nullify a player like Son Heung-Min.

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

Considering the opposition, perhaps many fans expected Mateo Kovacic to start alongside Jorginho in central midfield against Everton. However, it was N’Golo Kante who got the nod. This was not particularly surprising as no midfielder in world football is as good as a fully fit Kante. Tuchel’s team selection in the last game suggests that Kante will start whenever fit, which makes sense, especially against his old manager on Sunday.

Jorginho (No. 5) Central midfielder, Italy

Jorginho was always going to start the first game of the season. He did not have a good game against Everton though. He completed 83% of his attempted passes, two of which were attempted long balls. For the position he played, 83% passing accuracy is poor, especially when you don’t attempt many long passes. It is difficult to see Jorginho being the one to sit out this match though, partly because he’s the only player Chelsea has who is very comfortable in helping the team play out from the back. But also because he’s not likely to be dropped on account of the Everton game, as Tuchel stated that the performance levels were somewhat expected.

Marc Cucurella (No. 32) Left wingback, Spain

Marc Cucurella was superb for the 20 minutes he was on the pitch. Ben Chilwell was not great for the duration of time he was on the pitch. Cucurella should therefore be expected to start this game as he’s now gotten more time to train under Tuchel.

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