• May 21, 2022
• Olaoluwa Nwobodo

Chelsea travels to an already relegated Watford for a game that is nothing but a formality. It is the kind of game you give key players just so that they can get their goal tally up. Many Chelsea fans have stated their strong opinions about the involvement of debutants in this game. Debutants will definitely appear, but likely as substitutes. Either way, it’s not an issue if debutants don’t feature in this game. Thomas Tuchel wants to finish the season with the maximum points possible at this stage, and that means a strong lineup. Everyone saw the kind of lineup Tuchel put out against Chesterfield in the third round of the FA Cup. Could this be the time Chelsea fans see another four at the back after a very long time? Who does Tuchel send out against relegated Watford?

Goalkeeper: Uber-consistent Mendy

Edouard Mendy would be allowed to finish the season. He’s not in the running for golden glove even though he should be. Mendy has a 70% save rate this season, which was exactly his save percentage last season. He has made more saves per game than Alisson and Ederson, however, his defensive numbers are lower than those two. At the beginning of the season, he was overperforming and covering up for a shaky defense. However, when the defense allows the opponents to keep shooting at you, you’d continue to concede goals. The fact that Mendy has averaged more saves per game while averaging the same save percentage indicates that he has remained consistent but the defense has not.

Defenders: The last dance with Antonio Rudiger

Regardless of the opinions anyone has about Rudiger, no one can argue that he hasn’t been very good for the Blues in the last 18 months. He has given his farewell message and he deserves a respectable send-off. Many wanted him to stay, but everyone knows that sometimes things are out of the control of the club. Silva would likely start this one as well, even if he likely gives way for a debutant at some point in the game. Cesar Azpilicueta may start and if he’s leaving he probably is substituted off in the 28th minute or something equally adorable. Reece James and Marcos Alonso would be Chelsea’s fullbacks in this one.

Midfielders: Chalobah at central midfield?

Chalobah occupies the central midfield areas a lot even when playing as right centerback. He could start as one of the two central midfielders not playing base midfield. His passing and work-rate mean that he would be well suited to that role. He played as a midfielder last season on loan at Lorient anyway, though he was a defensive midfielder.

Jorginho is likely to be the defensive midfielder as he’s perfect for that role and few people play it like him. Jorginho still leads Chelsea in tackles and interceptions this season and has been a solid defensive presence in Chelsea’s midfield all season. Jorginho, in addition to being a solid defensive presence, has done very well in chance creation, creating six big chances for Chelsea in the league. N’Golo Kante is likely to be the third central midfielder. His work rate, dribbling, and ball progression would be essential to making sure the Blues create a boatload of quality goal scoring chances.

Tuchel’s comments about Kante were met with mixed reactions from fans. Some liked and agreed with the comments, deducing from it that Chelsea needs a player like him to deputize him. Others weren’t happy with the comments as they feel Tuchel doesn’t have a good grasp on Kante’s performances this season, especially because Tuchel said that Kante had only played 40% of Chelsea’s games this season, which is not a fact.

Forwards: Any reason Ziyech shouldn’t retain his place?

Chelsea’s forwards did majority of the chance creation against Leicester. With Romelu Lukaku and Hakim Ziyech creating one clear-cut chance each. Unfortunately, their work was also undone by other forwards Christian Pulisic and Kai Havertz, who made embarrassing misses keeping the score at and ultimately ending the match at 1-1. Ziyech was Chelsea’s best attacker on the pitch against Leicester and was nearly the best player on the pitch overall. Ziyech was also Chelsea’s best player the last time he started for Chelsea in the league. Creating a big chance both times. Ziyech needs to play more.

Lukaku, unsurprisingly, did not finish the game against Leicester City. He did not have much to work with as many times Ziyech shot the ball instead of looking to create. The result of this was Ziyech finishing the game with six shots and Lukaku finishing it with two. Lukaku ranks second behind Mason Mount for goals scored in the league this season. Mount needs a rest and should get it against Watford. Lukaku may get his chance to hit 10 league goals tomorrow. Kai Havertz has been starting from the bench recently and deservedly so. He has gotten many chances to score this season and doesn’t have the scoring numbers to show for it. He likely gets the chance to add more goals to his tally tomorrow.

Prediction: Mendy, James, Silva, Rudiger, Alonso, Chalobah, Jorginho, Kante, Ziyech, Lukaku, Havertz

Who do you think starts? Let us know in the comments and on Twitter