Predicted Chelsea Lineup To Face Arsenal In Pre-Season Friendly
An early taste of the London Derby coming for the football fans as Chelsea and Arsenal will clash against each other in a pre-season friendly at the Bird’s Nest Stadium in Beijing on Saturday.
It will be Chelsea’s first proper pre-season game of the summer. The Blues played a behind closed doors friendly against Fulham earlier this week which they won emphatically. Manager Antonio Conte fielded a very strong side against the Cottagers and the same will be expected against the Gunners, in a game that will be a prelude to the FA Community Shield game between the two sides in August.
Team News
New signing Tiemoue Bakayoko and Eden Hazard aren’t part of the touring party due to injury, while Nemanja Matic and Diego Costa have been left out as they look to resolve their futures. Another new arrival Antonio Rudiger has been given an extended break, following his involvement in the Confederations Cup.
Here’s how they could take the field in Beijing:
Formation: 3-4-3
Manager: Antonio Conte
Thibaut Courtois (GK)
While Willy Caballero has arrived in the summer as a backup for Courtois, it is almost certain that the Belgian will start and play for at least 45 minutes.
Cesar Azpilicueta (CB)
The Spaniard established himself as a centre-back last season and has done a sterling job in his new position. Expect him to start on Saturday.
David Luiz (CB)
Under the guidance of Conte, the Brazilian has grown into a top-class defender and is in contention for the club captaincy following John Terry’s exit. Will start against Arsenal.
Gary Cahill (CB)
The new leader of the defence for the Blues, Cahill did an excellent job last season. Another candidate for captaincy, he too is a sure starter.
Victor Moses (RM)
Another beneficiary of Conte’s three-man defence, the Nigerian excelled in his wing-back role last season and made it his own. While reinforcements are likely to arrive, he will start for Chelsea against Arsenal.
N’Golo Kante (CM)
Despite it being just a pre-season friendly, Kante will be the first name on the teamsheet for Conte. Last season’s PFA Player of the Year will want to start things off in a strong manner.
Cesc Fabregas (CM)
With Matic not included in the squad and Bakayoko nursing an injury, Fabregas will get the nod to partner Kante against the club where he became the player that he is today.
Marcos Alonso (LM)
Conte has only Alonso as his option at left wing-back. The Spaniard had a brilliant campaign last time out and will start against the North Londoners.
Willian (RW)
The Brazilian was in and out of the squad at times over last season, but without Eden Hazard in the squad, he will get a chance to start and will want to stake an early claim for a regular berth.
Michy Batshuayi (ST)
With Diego Costa’s future non-existent and Alvaro Morata still to arrive, Batshuayi is the senior-most centre-forward in the ranks and will definitely start.
Pedro (LW)
With Hazard unavailable for over a month, Pedro is likely to be shifted to the left flank on a regular basis, until the Belgian international returns.