(Image): How Tuchel could line-up against Villarreal in the Super Cup final
The Blues are back in action this week as they play their first competitive match of the new season on Wednesday against Villarreal in the Super Cup.
However, Chelsea have been relatively quiet throughout the summer transfer window but in the past few days, it’s them who are making the biggest splashes in the market, particularly with the move for Romelu Lukaku.
Thomas Tuchel has managed to hold onto almost all the players from his first-team squad so we are going to see a pretty similar lineup to the one which won the Champions League last season.
We know that pre-season friendlies do not mean much but Villarreal haven’t won any of their six pre-season matches. And to make matters worse, there has been a COVID scare in their camp which is why several of their first-team players may miss out in midweek.
Kurt Zouma continues to be linked with a move away from Chelsea but he should be starting in central defence alongside Antonio Rudiger and Azpilicueta.
Thiago Silva had been given an extended break so his participation on Wednesday remains highly doubtful.
Ben Chilwell and Reece James were involved in the European Championship for England so they have joined the pre-season camp relatively late. This means Alonso and Hudson-Odoi will operate as the two full-backs.
Mason Mount and Jorginho were also playing in the Euros so they too are going to miss out in midweek.
With Jorginho absent, N’Golo Kante and Kovacic are going to play in central midfield but the manager does have the option to chop and change with players like Ross Barkley and Ruben Loftus-Cheek at his disposal.
Kai Havertz and Hakim Ziyech are going to play in the more advanced roles against Villarreal while Timo Werner is expected to lead the line for this one.
Romelu Lukaku should be announced as a Chelsea player by the time Tuchel’s side takes the pitch at Windsor Park but the Belgian international is likely to miss out from the matchday squad.
Starting Line-up: Edouard Mendy; Zouma, Rudiger, Azpilicueta; Kante, Kovacic, Hudson-Odoi, Marcos Alonso; Kai Havertz, Hakim Ziyech, Timo Werner.
