The Strongest Possible Chelsea Starting XI That Could Play This Term

The Strongest Chelsea XI that could play this term

Chelsea have a lot of depth in their ranks and they can really be a team to watch in the league when their players and manager start working their magic. With new recruits and some much needed confidence, Chelsea look to challenge for the title this season and have made a really promising start to their campaign. If there needs to be one team that can be termed as their strongest team, Chelsea will have some real selection headache. Here is the strongest XI that Chelsea could play this season, and a warning here, this is bereft Captain and Legend John Terry!

Goalkeeper:

Thibaut Courtois

Courtois is a cool headed young goalkeeper who has made the first choice keeper’s position his own and is expected to sign a new 5 year deal soon. A real and overwhelming competition to Petr Cech, who has won it all with Chelsea.

Defenders:

Right Back: Cesar Azpilicueta

Yes, he looks rock solid on the left flank, but he is a really complete fullback when he is employed in his favourite right back position. A natural hardworker and top runner, Cesar Azpilicueta adds industry to the flanks. If played on the right side, he can offer more in attack with overlaps and crosses.

Centre Back: Branislav Ivanovic

Ivanovic is the player who could pip Captain John Terry mid season. Chelsea defence lacks the mobility to press higher up the pitch with John Terry at the center. Agreed that Terry is a great organizer of the defence, but his recent performance against Everton showed the defensive lapses that Chelsea back four has. If Chelsea have to attack freely, the centre back would have to press higher and move quicker to catch up with counters. Ivanovic could do it much better than Terry, who plays best in a defensive set up.

Centre Back: Gary Cahill

There is no doubt about the second position in central defence. Gary Cahill has really made his mark in Chelsea as well as for his national team England. He climbed the ladder in Chelsea pipping David Luiz and establishing himself as one of the league’s best Centre Backs. Would be a very key player for the Blues.

Left Back: Filipe Luis

Well, it is high time Mourinho’s summer signing Filipe starts matches regularly. He was a key member of Atletico last season and has the ability to work in Mourinho’s system. It looks rather clear that he would be starting matches more in the coming days as the manager decides on a system. He would offer a lot of attacking influence from the flanks.

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Midfield:

Central Midfield: Nemanja Matic

Matic will be a regular feature in Chelsea’s double pivot and obviously a key player. He is strong and technical, while he is decisive in his defending. He can pass the ball very well under pressure and does an excellent job in shielding the back four. He has really been one of the most balanced defensive midfielders in the league, who has great technique, vision and ball winning ability.

Central Midfield: Cesc Fabregas

Fabregas was Chelsea’s buy of the season. He even overtakes Diego Costa in this regard as he’s one of the most cherished and celebrated footballers in the Premier League. Fabregas adds the flair and fluency to the midfield with his effortless and world class passing abilities. Cesc Fabregas would be a the playmaker for the team full of runners, making Chelsea a nightmare for opponents.

Central Attacking Midfield: Oscar

Ahead of Fabregas and Matic will be play the Brazilian youngster. He would provide the creativity and work rate that Mourinho loves to have in his attacking players. His link up with Fabregas has been brilliant so far as both of them like passing. Oscar and Fabregas interchange their positions many times on the pitch, making life difficult for their markers.

Right Wing: Andre Schurrle

It is high time Chelsea start being more attack minded. Chelsea’s world cup winner Andre Schurrle would provide the penetrating runs and clinical finishing when played from the flanks. An option of playing Willian will be open as Mourinho does like to have the ultimate hardworking attacking midfielder with pace that is too unfair for opposition defenders, but Schurrle, will definitely offer more goals.

Left Wing: Eden Hazard

Chelsea’s best technical player will be playing on the Left Side and would be a very key support to Diego Costa. He is a very capable goal threat and a playmaker by himself. He has pace, power, close control and agility to dribble at will and score goals. He also created 92 chances last season, which is the maximum in the whole of Europe. Those chances will definitely be tucked away by Costa.

Striker:

Centre Forward: Diego Costa

The Brazil born Spaniard is such a hardworking player that he tends to injure himself every week, only to return back hungrier than ever! He will hold up play, bully defenders, take shots on goals, run in behind time and again, close down opponents and of course, score goals with clinical finishing. He offers the physicality and the aggression that Chelsea missed for a long time.