Reacting to Chelsea’s starting XI and why Kovacic isn’t included

The Pride of London react to Graham Potter’s Chelsea starting XI for the Tottenham Hotspur game, and reveal why Mateo Kovacic isn’t included in the team.

This match is a huge encounter for the Blues, for Potter and fans of both clubs. The home team are without passionate as well as adroit manager Antonio Conte, so there could perhaps be a different Lilywhites performance. Spurs versus Chelsea is always hotly contested, at either ground, but this clash at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium should be electric.

Well, that’s if the Englishman in charge at CFC can finally get a tune out of his men. Even a tuneless whistle would be good: the away side must fight for every loose ball, go into every 50/50 challenge with force and gusto whilst committing to everything. Not to mention that Potter’s men must play decent enough football to win in North London, which is never easy or a foregone conclusion. With no Chels’ identity along with inefficient tactics, three points is an almighty task. And one that I can’t see the Stamford Bridge outfit completing. More pressure is sure to befall Potter.

Reacting to the Chelsea starting lineup for Tottenham Hotspur fixture and why Mateo Kovacic isn’t included

All right, let’s take a look at the Blues XI for Sunday afternoon: Kepa Arrizabalaga; Reece James, Thiago Silva, Kalidou Koulibaly, Ben Chilwell; Enzo Fernandez, Ruben Loftus-Cheek; Hakim Ziyech, Joao Felix, Raheem Sterling; Kai Havertz.

The substitutes are: Marcus Bettinelli, Benoit Badiashile, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Mykhailo Mudryk, Mason Mount, Denis Zakaria, Conor Gallagher, Noni Madueke and Wesley Fofana. Incidentally, Thiago takes the armband as captain today; Kovacic misses out through illness suggests trustworthy source Nathan Gissing.

First of all, I am surprised that Badiashile has been dropped so quickly. He was very impressive previously, though he was not on top form against Southampton. Koulibaly is a risky proposition, in my opinion; I would have gone with Fofana at centreback if fully fit.

I am sure that the CFC fan base is elated to have both James and Chilwell in from the start. The front four is potentially devastating, let’s see if Havertz is up for it and his backing is up to it!