For a team that has stuttered in the Premier League this Season, Chelsea’s journey in the Champions League hasn’t been disastrous.
While they lost to FC Porto away from home, their 4-0 win against the Israeli Tel Aviv side exuded confidence from the blues. However, with Dynamo Kyiv being their next opponents in Europe, Chelsea could hope to build from their 2-0 win against Aston Villa.
Here is the strongest possible Chelsea lineup to face Dynamo Kyiv.
- Asmir Begovic
When Begovic signed for Chelsea in the summer, he would have envisaged a limited role in domestic Cup competitions. However, courtesy to the injury to Thibaut Courtois, which has ruled out the Belgian till December, Begovic is enjoying the limelight at Stamford Bridge.
2. Cesar Azpilicueta
While it is his role on the left side of Chelsea defense which has brought success to both the club and the player, injury to Branislav Ivanovic means that Azpilicueta would be shifted to the right side of the park.
3. Kurt Zouma
Currently playing alongside the John Terry in the Chelsea defense, Kurt Zouma is expected to be a successor of the legendary defender in the long term. His record in the Chelsea shirt, however, this Season isn’t good enough as the Blues have failed to win 4 of the 7 matches in which Zouma has started from the first whistle.
4. John Terry
A player whose Chelsea career seems to be in injury time, John Terry has been in good form after been dropped earlier by Jose Mourinho this Season. While he was replaced with Gary Cahill, Chelsea suffered in the absence of John Terry, which forced Jose Mourinho to include Terry back in his plans.
5. Baba Rahman
Not the best defender that you will ever see in a Jose Mourinho team, injuries to first team players means Mourinho will have to rely on Rahman once again. His defending prowess was questioned in Chelsea’s 2-0 win over Aston Villa, thus, if Rahman has to gain position in the Chelsea defense for long term, he should defend better than what he did against the Villains at the weekend.
6. Cesc Fabregas
At this stage last Season having played nine games in the Premier League, Cesc Fabregas had managed eight assists. However, being one of the main reason for the slump in form of Chelsea this Season, Fabregas has managed just 1-assist in the opening nine games this time around. However, with no better player to turn to, Fabregas is an irreplaceable figure of the current Chelsea XI.
7. Nemanja Matic
Another player who is suffering from lack of confidence this Season, Matic is not a player that is currently finding himself in the good books of Jose Mourinho. However, the form of Loftus-Cheek – the player who replaced Matic has been far from good. Thus, putting Matic back in the squad would seem reasonable by Mourinho.
8. Willian
If you have asked before this Season regarding the top performers from Chelsea, Willian would be a name who wouldn’t have been mentioned eagerly. However, courtesy of the up-turn in fortunes of the Brazilian, he is quickly becoming an irreplaceable figure for Chelsea this Season.
9. Oscar
Playing Reuben Loftus-Cheek in the number 10 role against Aston Villa, Mourinho managed a final throw of the dice to design a winning combination. While Chelsea won of-course, Reuben Loftus-Cheek was not the reason for it as he looked uncomfortable in that role. Thus, Oscar should be shifted back into the starting 11.
10. Eden Hazard
While there was a big question mark regarding his position at Chelsea after Jose Mourinho ruled him out of the starting XI on the weekend, injury to Pedro means that the Belgian would start for Chelsea.
11. Diego Costa
Considering his suspension record, Diego Costa needs to get his hands clean if Chelsea are to experience an up-turn in their fortunes.
