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Predicted Chelsea XI vs Newcastle: 3-4-3 again after Man City performance

By Olaoluwa Nwobodo

Lewis Hall, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Denis Zakaria, Armando Broja and Kalidou Koulibaly of Chelsea form a defensive wall (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)
Lewis Hall, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Denis Zakaria, Armando Broja and Kalidou Koulibaly of Chelsea form a defensive wall (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images) /
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Cesar Azpilicueta and Thiago Silva of Chelsea (Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images) /

Thiago Silva (No. 6) Centerback, Brazil

Silva sat this one out, and before you make the case that the Blues may not have lost if the Brazilian had started, remember that Silva was always going to play one of the two games between Wednesday and Saturday. It was either play the Carabao Cup game or play the Newcastle game.

Kalidou Koulibaly (No. 26) Left centerback, Senegal

Koulibaly was good, though he overhit a lot of his long balls. The reason Koulibaly still gets credit though is because CFC centerbacks (and players) have not been attempting enough switches of play so it was good to see him do it as often as he did. He also made some key tackles and blocks.

Marc Cucurella (No. 32) Left wingback, Spain

Cucurella was great against Man City. He won all eight of his duels, completed 92% of his passes, and made 10 defensive actions, including six successful tackles and one last-man tackle.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek (No. 12) Right wingback, England

Loftus-Cheek will likely feature again at right wingback just because of the sheer lack of options there. Chelsea is said to be eyeing Bayer Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong and Olympique Lyon’s Malo Gusto. Getting one of these players over the line may be the difference between a successful season and a complete disaster for the Blues.

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