Southampton v Chelsea: Predicted Blues line up to face Saints

Chelsea travel to the south coast on Tuesday evening to face Southampton, fresh from their 2-1 win over Leicester City on Saturday.

St. Mary’s has been a happy hunting ground for The Blues in recent years, and they won 6-0 in the same fixture last term.

Thomas Tuchel’s side have received a red card in each of their last two games though, meaning both injuries and suspensions could force the German to make changes to his side.

Here, we take a look at the XI that Tuchel could select.

Goalkeeper

Edouard Mendy had a day to forget against Leeds ten days ago, but was back to his usual self against Leicester City on Saturday and will once again start between the sticks for the visitors. The Senegal international has kept just one clean sheet so far this season, and will be looking to add to that tally on Tuesday.

Defenders

According to Nathan Gissing, defender Reece James will miss the match through injury, which could mean a first start of the season for club captain Cesar Azpilicueta on the right of the back three. The Spaniard, who signed a new deal at the start of the campaign, has been used as a substitute in all four matches so far this term.

Silva will likely start at the heart of Chelsea’s defence

In the middle, Thiago Silva will likely continue as the Blues’ last line of defence. The Brazilian, 37, looks to be in the form of his life at the moment, and he was crucial to Chelsea keeping The Foxes at bay once 2-1 up on Saturday.

On the left of the back three, Tuchel has confirmed that Kalidou Koulibaly will return to the side. The Senegal international scored against Tottenham during his home debut, but was sent off against Leeds a week later and therefore missed the visit of Leicester.

Midfielders

At right wing-back, Ruben Loftus-Cheek is likely to continue in James’ absence. The Englishman has started The Blues’ last three matches in the position, and has impressed both offensively and defensively.

On the left, Ben Chilwell could be handed a second start of the season, which would be his first since the opening day win over Everton. Chilwell has been used off the bench in the games since, with Marc Cucurella being deployed at left wing-back, but the England international could return to the starting XI with The Blues’ fixture list set to become increasingly demanding in the coming weeks.

Jorginho has started all four games so far this season

In midfield, Conor Gallagher is suspended after being sent off on his home debut against Leicester, meaning Billy Gilmour could make his first appearance of the season. The young Scot was just starting to force his way into the first team before Covid struck, and his loan at Norwich City last term didn’t quite go to plan. He has been given a squad number in recent days, though, and could be in line for a surprise start with N’Golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic both out injured.

Jorginho has started all four games so far in the absence of Kovacic and, for the last two games, Kante. The Italian was partly at fault for one of Spurs’ goals in the two sides’ thrilling 2-2 draw ten days ago, but has otherwise looked impressive in the early weeks of the season.

Forwards

Raheem Sterling scored his first and second Chelsea goals on Saturday, and will be hoping to add to his tally on Tuesday. The England international is likely to start on the left of Tuchel’s front three. Sterling has scored against Saints eight times previously, and will fancy his chances of netting again against a side that have conceded in all four league games so far this season.

Mason Mount 

Boyhood Portsmouth fan Mount also boasts an impressive record against Southampton, having scored four goals and provided two assists in eight games against them. The 23-year-old is yet to register a goal or assist this season, but few would bet against him doing so on Tuesday.

Broja could be in line for his first start of the season

Through the middle, Armando Broja may be preferred to Kai Havertz, who has failed to impress of late. The German, Chelsea’s 2021 Champions League final hero, has scored just once in his last 11 league matches, and hasn’t looked particularly impressive either. Broja spent last season on loan at St. Mary’s, and will know how to play against Ralph Hasenhuttl’s back line.

Predicted XI: Mendy; Azpilicueta, Silva, Koulibaly; Loftus-Cheek, Gilmour, Jorginho, Chilwell; Mount, Broja, Sterling