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Predicted Chelsea XI vs Aston Villa: Mudryk starts again in 4-2-3-1

By Olaoluwa Nwobodo

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 20: Mykhailo Mudryk of Chelsea looks on during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Chelsea FC at London Stadium on August 20, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 20: Mykhailo Mudryk of Chelsea looks on during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Chelsea FC at London Stadium on August 20, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /
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Chelsea’s Brazilian defender #06 Thiago Silva applauds the fans following the English Premier League football match between Bournemouth and Chelsea at the Vitality Stadium in Bournemouth, southern England on September 17, 2023. (Photo by Ben Stansall / 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. / (Photo by BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images) /

Thiago Silva (Left centerback) No. 6, Brazil

Silva’s passing and aerials have been good this season, but his tackling has been poor. The soon-to-be 39-year-old centerback has won 33% of his tackles this season, and 30% of his ground duels. In a two-centerback formation system, this is a problem. The earlier Benoit Badiashile returns to the lineup, the better.

Levi Colwill (Left back) No. 26, England

For some reason, Pochettino has resorted to using Colwill as a left back this season. It may be to create a template to include Badiashile and Colwill in the lineup when both are fit. However, being played at left back has meant that the latter’s passing is more predictable, and therefore has been less effective. Colwill’s long ball accuracy is down to 34% this season, from 56% last season. The youngster also doesn’t have the creation or ball progression numbers to justify being played at fullback.

Lesley Ugochukwu (Central midfielder) No. 16, France

Ugochukwu was good against Bournemouth, and with the current injury situation, will likely get another start. The youngster’s passing was good, and he was great in the air, but his tackling was abysmal, going 0/3 for tackles. He’d need to improve in his tackling if he’s going to stake a claim for when more central midfielders are fit.

Conor Gallagher (Central midfielder) No. 23, England

Gallagher playing deeper than Enzo Fernandez is another decision by Pochettino that is worrying, not least because it doesn’t look good on the Argentine World Cup winner that his manager would rather play Gallagher in the pivot over him. Gallagher, for his part, has been very good this season and starts on merit.

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