Chelsea host Everton at Stamford Bridge as Graham Potter’s side look to end the month of March on a high note before the international break begins. Chelsea have won their last three games in all competitions and are coming off a solid 3-1 away win against Leicester City last weekend.
Everton present a different challenge. Under new manager Sean Dyche, the Toffees look far more resilient and operate with far more intensity then they were under Frank Lampard. Everton are unbeaten in the last two games and will be riding high on confidence.
Potter is finally finding some consistency with his squad selection as his three at the back formation is doing wonders and CFC are extracting the right results. The Blues function in a smooth manner when certain players are on the pitch and they carry out their roles to absolute perfection.
3 Chelsea players that must start against Everton
Kalidou Koulibaly
Kalidou Koulibaly is on the arc of redemption. He has been slandered and criticized for his poor performances at the start of the season, following which, he was dropped from the team. With Thiago Silva’s injury, the Senegalese is back in the rearguard and is leading the way. Koulibaly is showing the shades of his Napoli version, rock solid, immaculate and reliable.
The 31 year old is working in tandem with Wesley Fofana and Marc Cucurella in a back three and it is working for Chelsea. Everton are without a reliable striker as Dominic Calvert-Lewin remains sidelined with injury so Koulibaly’s job might just get a little bit easier.
Enzo Fernandez
At times, it is beyond explanation and logic how is Enzo Fernandez able to produce perfectly weighted passes from the midfield. He has been the heartbeat of the Chelsea midfield ever since he signed for the Blues in January.
At the moment, it is difficult to fathom a Chelsea side without Fernandez operating in the midfield. Everton set up a five man midfield and three of their central midfielders – Amadou Onana, Idrissa Gueye and Abdoulaye Doucoure operate with tenacity. Fernandez will have an interesting battle with the Everton midfield.
Ben Chilwell
Ben Chilwell is in top form and has been producing impressive displays one after another. The Englishman is excelling in the wing back role, given the freedom he gets to surge forward. He scored a brilliant goal against Leicester and was a constant threat from the left flank.
Because of Joao Felix’s tendency to drop inside, Chilwell often has free space ahead of him, which gives him the freedom to get forward and deliver crosses or take on his man and attempt a shot on goal himself.
Will CFC win against Everton?