Predicted Chelsea Lineup To Start Against Shrewsbury: Star Returns, Solanke Starts

GOALKEEPER

PETR CECH

Having not featured in a single Premier League match this season, Cech is almost certain to get a start against Shrewsbury. With reports that he is unhappy at the lack of playing time, Jose Mourinho will be wary of losing a seasoned campaigner and therefore, might even hand the captaincy to him in the absence of John Terry.

DEFENDERS

GARY CAHILL, KURT ZOUMA, TODD KANE, FELIPE LUIS

In spite of playing the full 90 minutes against Manchester United, Cahill is likely to feature at the heart of the defence. Even though Mourinho has youth players like Nathan Ake and Andreas Christensen at his disposal, it is likely that he would start with the more experienced Cahill and maybe introduce either of the youngsters later on.

Kurt Zouma is most likely to get a start alongside Cahill, with Terry most probably rested. The young Frenchmen came on as a late substitute against Manchester United but would be keen to show his class with the opportunity to start.

At right back, with both Cesar Azpilicueta and Brainslav Ivanovic suspended, youngster Todd Kane is likely to get a rare opportunity in the senior side. The Chelsea U21 player had been a regular starter when on loan last season for Blackburn Rovers featuring in 27 matches and would now cherish the opportunity of starting in a Chelsea jersey for the first time.

At the other end of defence, Mourinho is likely to continue with Felipe Luis despite the Brazilian playing the full 90 minutes in the weekend. But Nathan Ake offers a strong alternative if Mourinho decides to not risk Luis in the light of next weekend’s Premier League fixture.

MIDFIELDERS

RAMIRES, JOHN OBI MIKEL, ANDRE SCHURRLE, MOHAMED SALAH, OSCAR

Fabregas and Matic are almost certain to be rested and that would open the doors for Mikel and Ramires in the centre of midfield. Mikel had come on as a second half sub against United, while Ramires is returning after an injury layoff. With Fabregas and Matic having cemented their places in the regular starting lineup, Mikel and Ramires will be keen to prove their point with a start. Youngster Nathan Baker is also on standby in case Ramires is not fully fit to start.

Oscar played only 67 minutes in the weekend, and therefore might return as the attacking midfielder in Chelsea’s 4-2-3-1. The Brazilian has looked impressive in his recent outings and would look to account yet another impressive performance today.

Mohamed Salah and Schurrle are expected to take the wide roles. Eden Hazard and Willian started the game against United and even though the pair was subbed off during the later stages of the game, it is unlikely they will be involved against Shrewsbury. Schurrle started the season in great promise scoring against Burnley but was forced to sit out soon with an injury. Meanwhile, Salah has also been unlucky not to get enough playing time despite his talents. The duo would be rearing to go and convince their manager to play them more often.

FORWARD

DOMINIC SOLANKE

Mouriho has confirmed that Loic Remy is sidelined for atleast two more weeks and Diego Costa only has a minimal chance to be fit for the weekend fixture against QPR. In such a scenario, Moruinho is unlikely to risk his only available striker Didier Drogba against Shrewsbury, especially after the veteran played the whole 90 minutes at Old Trafford. This would open up the way for the 17-year old Dominic Solanke to start against the League Two side. Mourinho has spoken of the youngster in high regards and even gave the youngster his first Chelsea appearance earlier this month in the Champions League tie against Maribor. Solanke would therefore be keen to pay off his managers’ faith in him with a confident performance in his first start for the senior side.