Chelsea v Everton: Predicted Blues line up as Potter’s side look for fourth straight win

Chelsea will be looking for a fourth consecutive victory across all competitions when they welcome Everton to Stamford Bridge on Saturday. 

The Blues have beaten Leeds United, Borussia Dortmund and Leicester City in the past two weeks, easing pressure that had piled up on manager Graham Potter after a disastrous run of results.

Last time out, Chelsea had a number of players missing, but Potter will face several tricky decisions when selecting his side to face The Toffees.

Here, we predict the XI that he could opt for.

Goalkeeper

Edouard Mendy has returned to training following a long injury lay-off, but the Senegal international is unlikely to be thrown straight into the starting line up and Kepa Arrizabalaga therefore looks likely to keep his starting spot.

Defenders

At the back, Thiago Silva remains sidelined through injury, but Potter could opt to refresh his back line.

Benoit Badiashile has made an impressive start to his Chelsea career following his move from Monaco in January, but the Frenchman was dropped for the game against Leicester. He may well return to the starting 11, along side Kalidou Koulibaly. 

Cucurella has impressed during Chelsea’s last two games

Trevoh Chalobah will likely once again be named among the substitutes, with Marc Cucurella set to start on the left of The Blues’ back three having impressed against Dortmund and Leicester.

Midfielders

On the right, Reece James could return to the starting line up having missed the win over The Foxes with illness. Ruben Loftus-Chee started in his absence at The King Power Stadium, but the midfielder is likely to revert to the bench for this one.

In the middle, Enzo Fernandez is almost certain to start following his outstanding performance against Leicester. The Argentina international became the most expensive player in Premier League history when joining from Benfica in January, and he has been in sensational form since making his Blues debut.

Fernandez and Gallagher both impressed last time out

Mateo Kovacic is arguably the most likely candidate to start alongside Fernandez. The Croat has captained Chelsea of late in the absence of a number of senior players, and he scored in the win over Leicester.

Conor Gallagher came on as a substitute at half-time last time out and put in a fine display, but will likely be named among the substitutes once again.

On the left, Ben Chilwell is set to keep his place following an outstanding display against his former side. The ex-Foxes man scored Chelsea’s opener and was arguably their best player on Saturday.

Forwards

Up front, Kai Havertz looks set to keep his place as the spearhead of Chelsea’s attack. The Germany international scored The Blues’ second goal shortly before half-time against Leicester, taking his tally to eight for the season.

Joao Felix looks likely to accompany Havertz in attack, having been substituted off at half-time on Saturday. The Portuguese had looked lively, hitting the woodwork and having an effort chalked off for offside, before being hooked at the break.

Felix had a goal disallowed against Leicester on Saturday

Mykhaylo Mudryk made a rare start on Saturday, but the winger failed to impress and could make way for Raheem Sterling. The Englishman missed out on a place in Gareth Southgate’s England squad this week and will be looking to prove a point against Everton.

Noni Madueke has looked bright when given the opportunity of late, but will likely be among the substitutes alongside the likes of Hakim Ziyech and Christian Pulisic.

Predicted XI: Arrizabalaga; Fofana, Koulibaly, Cucurella; James, Fernandez, Kovacic, Chilwell; Felix, Havertz, Sterling.