Chelsea predicted XI vs Everton: Frank Lampard’s possible starting line-up as striker aims to continue good form

Chelsea travel to Goodison Park to take on Everton on Saturday night as they look to extend their unbeaten run to 15 matches in all competitions. 

In that run Frank Lampard’s side have won eight of their last 10 matches which has seen them progress to the the next stage of the Champions League and move up to third in the Premier League table.

In their last domestic outing, the Blues came from behind to beat Leeds United 3-1 at Stamford Bridge, leaving them two points behind the top-two of Liverpool and Tottenham.

Chelsea are on an impressive run of form.

In the most congested of seasons, the match on Merseyside against former boss, Carlo Ancelotti, marks the start of what is an extremely busy period for the Premier League sides.

Between now and the end of December, there are five league matches to play at a rate of one every four days.

So with a talented squad at his disposal and games coming thick and fast, it will be interesting to see which players Lampard will pick to try and extend his team’s impressive run of form?

Here we predict the Chelsea starting XI to take on Everton at Goodison Park…

Goalkeeper:

After Kepa Arrizabalaga got an opportunity in the Champions League draw against Krasnodar, Lampard’s first-choice Edouard Mendy will return in goal. The Senegal has been impressive for the Blues since signing from Rennes. What was previously a suspect backline has visibly improved with the arrival of Mendy who has conceded just four times in 13 matches for the club, keeping nine clean sheets in the process. All successful teams have a consistent goalkeeper, and Chelsea seem to have found one in the imposing 28-year-old.

Defenders:

With his side already through, Lampard shook things up in the week against Krasnodar but is set to revert back to his favoured back-four at Everton. Club-captain Cesar Azpilicueta has made his fair share of appearances this term but has been knocked down the pecking order by the impressive Reece James who should return. On the opposite flank, fellow England international Ben Chilwell will also return to provide a threat down the left side. Meanwhile, at centre-back, Kurt Zouma and Thiago Silva have struck up a decent partnership and will look to continue that on Merseyside.

Midfielders:

Chelsea’s recent run of good form has been largely down to having more continuity in team selection, especially in the midfield area. N’Golo Kante has patrolled the middle of the park admirably in his natural DM position, while Mateo Kovacic, who often goes unnoticed, has contributed to various areas of the Blues’ good play. Just in front of those two – in a more advanced role – Mason Mount has grabbed his opportunity in a central area. This trio have started the last four Premier League matches together and that should continue against Everton. This means club-record buy Kai Havertz, who can also operate in attack, will have to settle for the bench. 

Forwards:

Chelsea’s vast attacking options are slightly limited for this one with Hakim Ziyech and Callum Hudson-Odoi both missing with hamstring injuries. However, in Olivier Giroud they have a man in fine form with five goals in his last two starts. The Frenchman has fought his way back into the team and will start again at Goodison Park at the expense of Tammy Abraham. In the wide areas, Timo Werner will return after being used as just a substitute in the week. The German, who is likely to start on the right, is the club’s leading scorer this season with eight goals in all competitions. On the left side, Christian Pulisic will be looking to rediscover the form he was in prior to getting injured in August’s FA Cup final.

Predicted Chelsea XI vs Everton: Mendy; James, Zouma, Silva, Chilwell; Kovacic, Kante, Mount; Pulisic, Giroud, Werner.