Chelsea managed to get back into the top-four of the Premier League by beating West Ham United on Saturday and now they will have to shift their focus to Europe.
After all the Super League fiasco, the Blues are back playing in the Champions League where they will take on Real Madrid in the semi-final on Tuesday. Chelsea will go into this game as the slight underdogs but they have been a great side under Thomas Tuchel so there’s no way we can write them off.
The Chelsea manager has a fully fit squad to choose from and the main focus for Tuchel will be to take charge of the midfield area from the very first minute of the match. Against Liverpool in the last round, Real Madrid ran riot thanks to Toni Kroos and Luka Modric. And if these two are allowed to play their natural game once again then the English side just do not stand a chance.
The London side have been stellar in defence but the big issue for them is that they are not scoring too many goals under their new boss which could be a major cause of concern since the first leg will be an away game for them.
Chelsea team news vs Real Madrid:
Edouard Mendy returned in goal against West Ham United and the summer signing will keep his place on Tuesday as well.
The manager opted to use both Christensen and Thiago Silva in central defence on Saturday while Azpilicueta played as the right wing-back. Some feel this arrangement could remain against Madrid as well but we think Reece James will be called back into the side just cause the youngster has more pace than Azpilicueta.
Azpilicueta could either move to the bench or replace Christensen in the back line.
Mateo Kovacic will be the biggest miss for Chelsea with the manager confirming that the midfielder is not likely to be fit in time for the first leg in Spain.
“Me personally, I hope (he will be ready) for Fulham,” Tuchel said during his pre-match press conference for the Hammers game. “Don’t take it for granted or that it is medical advice, this is just my personal opinion.
“I think it’s maybe possible to be back against Fulham, in-between the Madrid games.
“I think Madrid could be close as he’s not trained with the team. To be realistic, tomorrow is a game, then two days to prepare for Madrid, without training, it will not happen. Hopefully Fulham is a realistic target.”
The absence of Kovacic allows Jorginho and Kante to pair up in defensive midfield with Ben Chilwell playing as the left wing-back.
Christian Pulisic did not have the best of games against West Ham United and there’s a big chance he makes way for Hakim Ziyech in the final third. Mason Mount is a guaranteed starter on Tuesday.
Timo Werner led the line during the weekend and he also scored the only goal of the match. We think he’s done enough to get another start, thereby keeping Kai Havertz on the bench.
How Chelsea could line up vs Real Madrid:
Predicted Starting Line-up: Mendy; Azpilicueta, Thiago Silva, Rüdiger; James, Jorginho, Kanté, Chilwell; Mount, Ziyech, Werner.
