Cesar Azpilicueta and Kai Havertz ought to return, but Reece James will drop out when Chelsea face Wolves to Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.
Chelsea will be eager to kick-start the Thomas Tuchel era with a bang when they play hosts to Wolves at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday evening. And, the new Blues’ boss does not have any fresh roster issues to contend with ahead of his first match at the helm.
While there was no press conference ahead of the game, the pre-match briefing on the Chelsea website has suggested that N’Golo Kante will be the only absentee. The Frenchman remains on the sidelines due to a hamstring complaint.
As for Tuchel’s first team selection as the Chelsea manager, it will be interesting to see how he sets the team up, but it is likely that the Blues will line up in a 4-3-3 formation. Edouard Mendy ought to be stationed in goal, coming into the side in place of Kepa Arrizabalaga.
In front of him, there could be a couple of interesting picks in defence. Cesar Azpilicueta might be recalled in place of Reece James, starting as the right-back against Wolves, with Ben Chilwell certain to feature on the left. At the heart of the Chelsea defence, Antonio Rudiger, who was a target for Tuchel at PSG, is likely to pair up with Thiago Silva, Tuchel’s former charge at the Parisian club.
Up ahead in midfield, Jorginho is expected to get the nod to sit at the base of the three-man unit in the absence of Kante. The Italian international will look to dictate play from a deeper position on the pitch, with support likely to come from Kai Havertz and Mason Mount. The duo’s selection means Mateo Kovacic and Billy Gilmour will only find a place on the bench at best.
Finally, in attack, the key decision will surround the central striker’s berth. Timo Werner has been far from his best this season, while Tammy Abraham is coming off a match-winning hat-trick against Luton Town in the FA Cup fourth round this past weekend.
Werner, though, could get the nod to lead the line for Chelsea against Wolves, meaning Abraham will drop to the bench despite his superior form. On the left flank, Christian Pulisic, who grew in stature at Borussia Dortmund when Tuchel was in-charge at the Signal Iduna Park, will start, with Hakim Ziyech likely to be stationed on the right flank.
Chelsea Predicted XI: Mendy; Azpilicueta, Rudiger, Silva, Chilwell; Havertz, Jorginho, Mount; Ziyech, Werner, Pulisic