Chelsea ended the previous season quite strongly but the Blues have had a very poor transfer window, failing to sign one target after another.
They have missed out on big names like Jules Kounde and Raphinha which is why they are still very much active in the transfer market. However, Thomas Tuchel will have to keep all these thoughts in the back seat because Chelsea will have to face Everton this weekend.
The Blues head to Goodison Park on Saturday and despite being the favourites to pick up a win, Tuchel will be a bit concerned because Everton have won their last four home games against Chelsea in the Premier League.
Everton have also won on the opening gameweek for the previous ten seasons and they will be keen to extend this run on Saturday.
The Stamford Bridge outfit had a mixed pre-season losing heavily to Arsenal but thankfully, Tuchel will have all his players available for selection which is a big boost for the manager. Based on the previous season’s performances, we expect Chelsea to win this one unless Lampard has done something magical during the previous two months.
Chelsea’s team news against Everton:
Christensen and Antonio Rudiger have both left in the summer but the club has signed Koulibaly. The new signing will come straight into the first XI to start alongside Thiago Silva and Azpilicueta.
Azpi usually plays on the right-hand side of defence but with Koulibaly coming in, it will be interesting to see if he is given the Rudiger role on the left.
Chelsea have not been able to revamp its midfield which is a major cause of concern for the manager. He will have to rely on the pairing of Kovacic and N’Golo Kante plus he also has the option of Jorginho.
Ben Chilwell spent most of the previous season out with an injury but the left-back will come back into the starting line up this weekend.
Timo Werner has been heavily linked with a move back to Germany and by the time the Blues head to Merseyside, Werner might have already secured a return to his native land.
🚨 Timo Werner wants to return to his former club RB Leipzig this summer.
(Source: @Berger_Pj) pic.twitter.com/4K5EBY9rXL
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) August 2, 2022
We expect summer signing Raheem Sterling to come into the side, partnering with Mason Mount as the two advanced midfielders.
Romelu Lukaku was another player who has been sent out(to Inter Milan) and since Chelsea have not been able to sign any new centre-forward, the manager will rely on Kai Havertz to lead the line.
There have been rumours that Thomas Tuchel is planning to use a traditional back-four this season but he still doesn’t have the necessary players to pull this one off so he’s most probably going to rely on his old system on Saturday.
Chelsea predicted line up vs Everton:
Predicted Starting XI(3-4-2-1): Mendy; Koulibaly, Silva, Azpilicueta; Kante/Jorginho, Kovacic, Ben Chilwell, James; Mount, Sterling; Kai Havertz.
Read: Arsenal director Edu clarifies the truth about Raphinha snubbing the London clubs to join FC Barcelona.
Stats courtesy Fotmob.
