Christian Pulisic is back from injury and should start while Tammy Abraham could get the nod over Olivier Giroud when Chelsea take on Wolves on Tuesday.
Chelsea will be aiming to bounce back to winning ways when they travel to the Molineux to face off against Wolves on Matchday 13 of the 2020/21 Premier League on Tuesday evening.
And manager Frank Lampard has been greeted with some good news on the injury front heading into the game, as Christian Pulisic, who missed the weekend clash against Everton, is back in contention for selection.
Chelsea training today, Pulisic has shaved the beard! pic.twitter.com/5VgzXD8axx
— Simon Phillips (@SiPhillipsSport) December 14, 2020
“He trained on the day we played against Everton and felt better. He’s in the squad tomorrow and it’s yet to be decided whether he starts or not. It’s obviously positive news from the weekend,” Lampard said in his pre-match presser.
There are unlikely to be many changes made to the team that started against the Toffees at Goodison Park. Edouard Mendy, whose mistake cost Chelsea the game at the weekend, is a certainty to feature in goal and will be aiming to redeem himself with a strong performance against Wolves. The backline of Reece James, Kurt Zouma, Thiago Silva and Ben Chilwell should remain intact as well.
N’Golo Kante is a pivotal part of Lampard’s setup and should start at the base of the three-man midfield for Chelsea on Tuesday evening. Mason Mount, who has been one of the Blues’ most consistent performers this season, is also an undisputed starter in the middle of the park.
There could be a change in the third slot in midfield, though, with Kai Havertz, who struggled on the right wing at the weekend against Everton, likely to be moved into a central role. Mateo Kovacic, who started the last game, should drop out to the bench.
Moving into the attacking third, Chelsea continue to be without Hakim Ziyech and Callum Hudson-Odoi, both of whom are nursing hamstring injuries. While Lampard did say that he is yet to decide whether Pulisic will start or not, given how his side have struggled without natural wingers in the ranks, the USMNT star should feature from kick-off on Tuesday.
Pulisic should start on the right flank for Chelsea against Wolves, while Timo Werner, who has now gone seven games without a goal in all competitions, should feature on the left. Spearheading the attack for the Blues at the Molineux should be Tammy Abraham, with Olivier Giroud dropping out after an underwhelming performance at the weekend.
Chelsea Predicted Lineup: Mendy; James, Zouma, Silva, Chilwell; Havertz, Kante, Mount; Pulisic, Abraham, Werner