Predicted Chelsea Lineup To Face Arsenal In The Community Shield Clash
Antonio Conte will be a happy man with the way things have progressed at the Stamford Bridge since his side lifted the title last season. The Blues are back in action this week, as they take on FA Cup winners Arsenal in the Community Shield at Wembley this Sunday. The Blues already beat Arsenal in a pre-season game and will now look to start their new campaign with a bang.
Chelsea have played just three pre-season games, losing two of those, and their only victory came against their Community Shield opponents. Conte will go with a strong team, with a couple of new signings also on show.
Team News
The likes of Alvaro Morata, Tiemoue Bakayoko and Antonio Rudiger are all eligible to play in this game and all three are expected to play in this game at one stage or the other. Diego Costa will not be allowed to play while Eden Hazard is absent with an injury he picked up on international duty. Bakayoko is not expected to start as he is not back from a niggle completely, while Pedro is also doubtful, leaving Chelsea a bit weak in the attack.
Formation: 3-4-3
Manager: Antonio Conte
GK – Thibaut Courtois
The Belgian shot stopper will remain as the Chelsea first choice and he has to be. He is by far the one of the best in the league.
RCB – Cesar Azpilicueta
The Spaniard had a terrific time with the national side and was back with the squad late in the pre-season and is expected to start at the back for the Blues.
CB – David Luiz
The Brazilian star was superb last campaign for the club and he should keep his place at the heart of the back three in this tie.
LCB – Antonio Rudiger
The former AS Roma man will have to fight with Gary Cahill for his place in the side but he should get a start in this game against Arsenal.
RWB – Victor Moses
Moses did a decent job in this makeshift position for Chelsea last season but the lack of transfer activity should see him keep his place at right wing-back this season as well.
CM – N’Golo Kante
The French international was impeccable last season and he will hope to start this campaign in a similar manner and help Chelsea win silverware in the first game of the season.
CM – Cesc Fabregas
With Bakayoko not fit enough to start, Fabregas is expected to partner Kante in the middle of the park for this .tie
LWB – Marcos Alonso
The Italian star did not do too much wrong in the pre-season and deserves to start at left wing-back all season, for Chelsea.
RW – Willian
With Pedro out injured, Willian will get his chance to impress Conte and if he can come up with the goods, he might just push the Spaniard out of the first team picture.
LW – Alvaro Morata
Though purchased to play as a central striker, Morata’s versatility will help Conte use him on the flank, in place of Eden Hazard, who is also expected to miss the start of the Premier League campaign.
ST – Michy Batshuayi
The Belgian youngster was on fire in the pre-season and he should get his fair share of chances this season, with Hazard not an option for at least a month.