• May 10, 2022
• Tyrone Codner

After a 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge on Saturday. Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea will be back in action against a relegation-threatened Leeds United. Chelsea is currently sitting third with 67 points and is at risk of dropping to fourth place if is unable to claim all three points. Arsenal is in top form (currently on 66 points and fourth), posing a real threat to the Blues. Spurs are fifth, behind Arsenal, and will also be hoping to get back into Europe’s most competitive competition. Leeds has found itself in a relegation scrap and is currently facing the drop from the Premier League. Leeds is 18th and is currently on 34 points. With the importance of obtaining all three points, what starting eleven would Tuchel trust to get the job done?

Goalkeeper: Mendy remains trusted

It’s safe to say Edouard Mendy has been very shaky for a couple of weeks, and some would say Kepa Arrizabalaga should be trusted ahead of the FA Cup final on Saturday (which will spring up a debate on who starts on the day), however, it’s important to support the first choice goalkeeper and help him keep his head high and trust him through this game. Chelsea fans were very critical of the way he conceded the two goals vs Wolves, and in a sense, some of it is understandable. It has become a tougher period for the Senegalese goalkeeper, but a drop to the bench wouldn’t be ideal in this important game. He remains between the sticks barring any late injury occurring.

Defenders: Chalobah comes in at right centerback

After the performance the Chelsea skipper Cesar Azpilicueta had against Wolves and Everton, it would be right to say Azpilicueta hasn’t been in good form. Against Wolves, fans were left surprised that Malang Sarr was preferred off the bench instead of Trevoh Chalobah. The substitution didn’t work out as planned, as minutes after the score was leveled 2-2 in the 97th minute by Wolves in the dying seconds of the game. Chalobah, who hasn’t started a game for the Chelsea men’s team since the 6-0 beating of Southampton, will be fans’ preferred choice to step in for Azpilicueta on the right of the three-man backline. Azpilicueta will have to sit this one out and Chalobah will have to take over on the right. Some would say it’s long overdue.

Thiago Silva remains in the center of the defense. Against Wolves, Silva made four interceptions that benefitted the final score at full time. Chelsea fans were once more reminded of the gem they have in the 37-year-old Brazilian. His experience will be important against his fellow countryman Raphinha.
Antonio Rudiger was a key player on the offensive side vs Wolves in the first half and his passes over-the-top to Werner and Pulisic were just short of perfection and nearly created a great goal for Werner. Fans can hope he can step up once more against Leeds as the last time Chelsea went up against Leeds, he won a decisive penalty to determine the match.

Midfielders: Midfield pivot remains the same

Tuchel revealed in his press conference that Jorginho and N’Golo Kante are doubts for this game, so as a result, Chelsea will have to stick with Mateo Kovacic and Ruben-Loftus Cheek. It may not be fans’ preferred option, but Chelsea is in a tough situation with midfielders and will have to make do with what they have.

News floating around that Marcos Alonso and Tuchel had a “bust-up” was partially confirmed by the head coach, but he has stated that he’s “ready to put it behind [him]” which could see Alonso remain on the left as the starting left wingback.

Reece James was impactful on the right vs Wolves and took a few strikes. James found himself playing as a right centerback under Tuchel in the second half to reduce Azpilicueta’s chances of being dismissed. However, it was clear that he was very limited and was spotted a few times driving forward to offload the ball to RLC. Reece has made a name for himself so far, so with that being said, he remains in the RWB role and will be hoping to add his impact to this game as he did in the prior.

Forwards: Lukaku remains up top

Mason Mount was an unused substitute vs Wolves and the assumption for this, could be that it is in preparation for this game and the FA Cup Final. Mount hasn’t had the most consistent season this term but has been decisive on a lot of occasions behind the man chosen up top. For this game, Mount should return to the starting lineup and hopefully have another great performance against Leeds who has slowly become one of his favorite opponents. Pulisic was quite creative for Werner and Lukaku vs Wolves and should remain in the eleven as a merit for this. His impact has been hampered by his selection as a wingback this season, but he was able to add fluidity vs Wolves and Tuchel should be hoping he can add more fast-paced passing into the man up top once again vs Leeds.

Romelu Lukaku’s performance and brace vs Wolves warrant him a start vs Leeds.
Lukaku was spotted linking up with Werner and Pulisic, and his work rate paid off as he won a penalty from Wolves defender Romain Saiss, and later took the penalty with a low strike with his left foot. His second goal was created by his work rate once more after Pulisic nipped in to win possession and slid it into the Belgian. Tuchel stated in his press conference on Tuesday, “Romelu [Lukaku] has been scoring goals since he was six years old. It is in his body. This is what I tell him all the time – trust your body, trust your brain, trust your instincts.”

Prediction: Mendy, Chalobah, Silva, Rudiger, James, Kovacic, Loftus-Cheek, Alonso, Mount, Pulisic, Lukaku