Chelsea at Southampton predicted XI: Rotated 4-3-3 at St Mary’s
Jorginho (No. 5) Central midfielder, Italy
Tuchel is likely going to turn to a different formation for this contest seeing as he has a lack of availability in midfield. Jorginho is the only fit regular starter of the bunch with N’Golo Kante out for a month and Mateo Kovacic’s starting fitness still unknown. He’s started the campaign fairly well, which is hugely important to the team given the injuries to others. The Blues will need him to carry on with his early season success throughout the next couple of weeks, especially if they’re not able to bring in a midfielder—which already looks unlikely—before the transfer window closes.
It’s obvious that the managerial staff doesn’t like to put this much pressure and responsibility on one player. However, if there’s anyone in the team who has the experience, talent and adeptness to shoulder the weight, it’s Jorginho.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek (No. 12) Central midfielder, England
Ruben Loftus-Cheek has quietly become one of Chelsea’s most important players over the last two seasons. That may sound crazy, but if you think about it, he’s crucial to Tuchel’s success. Loftus-Cheek is able to fill in for injured or suspended players all over the pitch. From right wingback to a false nine, the Englishman has proven he’s got what it takes to do a serviceable job all over the field over the last two seasons.
Loftus-Cheek was probably the Blues’ best player against Leicester City. He earns another start, this time in a midfield trio due to the aforementioned absence of Kante, the uncertainty around Kovacic and Conor Gallagher’s suspension. The 26-year-old usually puts in a good shift when playing alongside Jorginho. Hopefully Tuesday’s game will be no different if Tuchel chooses to trot those two out together.
Mason Mount (No. 19) Central attacking midfielder, England
Mason Mount has been one of Chelsea’s most disappointing players early on. He’s got zero goal contributions in four matches to start the 2022/23 Premier League campaign, which means he’s on pace to regress from his performance last season. Mount was uninvolved at the weekend before being dragged off at halftime. Truthfully, he was only good against Tottenham and invisible in other games. In order to get him more time on the ball, it’d be good to see Tuchel give him a trot out in his natural No. 10/No. 8 role in a three-man midfield.