Chelsea will return from the Baron Wilderness which is the international break with a meeting with the fighters West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.
This month’s manager Thomas Tuchel expects to extend his 14-match unbeaten run with another victory over a Baggies side that is slow due to time in its battle for survival in the Premier League.
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Predicting a Tuchel lineup has been pretty impossible in recent months, but we give it a crack anyway.
Christensen is in the shape of his life | Pool / Getty Images
Edouard Mendy (GK) – Mendy missed international service in favor of undergoing dental surgery, but he is back in training and will be one of the first names on the team magazine.
Cesar Azpilicueta (CB) – Club captain Azpilicueta has made his return to midfield under Tuchel, and given that the boss wants his right-back to charge up and down the field, Azpi is the perfect man for the job.
Andreas Christensen (CB) – Thiago Silva is back in training but releasing Christensen is not an option. The Dane has not conceded a goal in over 14 hours of football for club and country. He has reached a new level.
Antonio Rudiger (CB) – There is a chance that Christensen can be moved to the left to make room for Silva, but expect Tuchel to stick with Rudiger, who has been excellent in recent weeks.
Havertz finds his foot | Alex Grimm / Getty Images
Reece James (RM) – Callum Hudson-Odoi’s creativity may be useful here, but given that he has recently struggled with a shoulder injury, Tuchel expects to go for James.
Mateo Kovacic (CM) – Kovacic has infiltrated the “best in the league” conversation and has been unreal since Tuchel’s arrival and fully deserves his elevated status in the team.
Jorginho (CM) – With N’Golo Kante injured, Jorginho expects to complete the return of the Jovacic pivot.
Marcos Alonso (LM) – With West Brom likely to sit deep and force crossings, Alonso’s height and surreal look for goals should give him the nod over Ben Chilwell.
Giroud’s skill set can be the key | James Williamson – AMA / Getty Images
Kai Havertz (RF) – Havertz is really getting steam these days and should get the nod before Mason Mount, who probably needs to rest after working to his limit for England’s customs.Oliver Giroud (ST) – West Brom’s low blocks may need Giroud to unlock. He can compete for crosses and pull defenders out of position, and that could be the key to a Chelsea victory here.
Timo Werner (LF) – Werner will be desperate to move on from the nightmare of the previous break, and a goal here would go a long way to help him.
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