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Predicted Chelsea XI vs Blackburn: James starts in 4-2-3-1

By Clovis Pereira

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 25: Todd Boehly, Chairman and Co-Owner of Chelsea, and Reece James of Chelsea are seen in attendance prior to the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Luton Town at Stamford Bridge on August 25, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 25: Todd Boehly, Chairman and Co-Owner of Chelsea, and Reece James of Chelsea are seen in attendance prior to the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Luton Town at Stamford Bridge on August 25, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) /
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Monaco’s French defender Axel Disasi (R) and Monaco’s French defender Benoit Badiashile Mukinayi stand in the rain during the UEFA Europa League round of 16 first leg football match between SC Braga and Monaco at the Municipal stadium in Braga on March 10, 2022. (Photo by MIGUEL RIOPA / AFP) (Photo by MIGUEL RIOPA/AFP via Getty Images) /

Right back: Reece James (England)

Reece James has continued to struggle with injuries this season. However he is back with the squad and after his cameos in the London Derbies where he wasn’t liable to errors, our club captain should be starting the next game.

Center back: Axel Disasi (France)

Axel Disasi was surprisingly played out of position against Brentford with two fit right backs in Reece James and Malo Gusto available for selection. But Pochettino will definitely want to rest the 39 year old veteran in the next game, so we should expect Disasi to return to his natural position.

Center back: Benoit Badiashile (France)

Levi Colwill too has been playing very regularly and in different roles so awarding him some rest would be ideal. It would also allow Benoit Badiashile to feature for the first time this season after his return from injury. He’s been fit for a while now and the Chels’ faithful would love to watch him return to the pitch paired up with his former AS Monaco teammate.

Left back: Ian Maatsen (Netherlands)

Another player who impressed the fanbase in preseason, rejected offers from other clubs to have a future at his boyhood club but then failed to get substantial minutes. Although Pochettino prefers to have him higher up the pitch on the wings, the fans would love to see what he can produce from his natural position which got him into the Sky Bet Championship’s Team of the Season last year with Burnley.

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