Chelsea v West Ham: Predicted Blues line up with debut looking likely

Chelsea host West Ham United on Saturday with The Blues in desperate need of a win to get their season back on track. 

Thomas Tuchel’s side have lost twice and drawn once in their opening five matches, leaving them 10th in the Premier League table ahead of the game against The Hammers.

West Ham, meanwhile, have scored just one goal in the league this season and find themselves 14th.

There could be a number of new faces on show at Stamford Bridge, and here we take a look at the XI that Tuchel could select for the game.

Goalkeeper

Edouard Mendy has started the season poorly by his own high standards, but the Senegal international looks set to maintain his place between the sticks for Tuchel’s side. The ‘keeper was hounded for his performance at Leeds United a couple of weeks ago, and also failed to cover himself in glory against Southampton on Tuesday. Kepa Arrizabalaga is likely to have to wait for his first appearance of the season.

Defenders

Wesley Fofana could be in line for his debut for the club on Saturday, just two days after completing a £69.5 million move from Leicester City. The Frenchman missed The Foxes last few games, with Brendan Rodgers claiming the player wasn’t in the correct frame of mind to be involved amid ongoing speculation, but Tuchel confirmed in his pre-match press conference that the defender is available.

Silva has been an ever present for Chelsea this term

In the middle, Thiago Silva is expected to continue his run of starting every one of Chelsea’s games so far, despite approaching his 38th birthday. The Brazilian was superb during The Blues’ last home game against Leicester, and Tuchel will be relying on him once again to keep the likes of Michail Antonio and Jarrod Bowen at bay.

On the left of the back three, Kalidou Koulibaly is set to take his place once again, having returned from suspension for the game against Southampton. The defender, an international teammate of Mendy, has endured a mixed start to life at Stamford Bridge, scoring against Tottenham on his home debut, before being sent off against Leeds.

Midfielders

Tuchel looks to have averted something of a crisis in midfield, with Mateo Kovacic back to fitness and likely to partner Jorginho in the centre. The Croatian had been injured and was only fit enough for the bench in midweek, but was called upon with Chelsea trailing.

Conor Gallagher returns from suspension but is likely to be among the substitutes, alongside Ruben Loftus-Cheek who has recovered from a minor injury. N’Golo Kante remains unavailable, and Billy Gilmour is also having departed for Brighton on deadline day.

Tuchel will welcome the return of Mateo Kovacic

Reece James is likely to return for the visit of The Hammers, having missed the defeat to Southampton through illness. The England international has been used slightly out of position as a centre-back of late, but the arrival of Fofana makes it more likely that he will return to right wing-back.

On the left, Ben Chilwell could return to the side, having started the last three games on the bench. The Englishman started the opening day win over Everton, but Marc Cucurella has since been preferred at left wing-back.

Forwards

In attack, Raheem Sterling will start and will be hoping to add to his tally of goals. The ex-Manchester City man scored his first tow goals for the club against Leicester last weekend, and added his third against Saints in midweek. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is soon to be available, but in the meantime Sterling is likely to be relied upon for Chelsea’s goals.

Sterling has scored three goals in his last two matches

Armando Broja could be preferred to Kai Havertz through the middle. The Albanian replaced Havertz in midweek and made an instant impression, while the Germany international is yet to record a goal or assist this season, despite having started all five games so far.

Mason Mount is set to continue although, like Havertz, the England midfielder hasn’t manager a goal or assist so far this term. Tuchel will need more from his frontline if they are to secure a place in the top four this term, and Mount has been reliable over the past two seasons.

Predicted XI: Mendy; Fofana, Silva, Koulibaly; James, Kovacic, Jorginho, Chilwell; Mount, Broja, Sterling