Football London
Thomas Tuchel has made two changes to his Chelsea side for this afternoon’s Premier League clash against Tottenham – and it appears there has been a tweak to the Blues’ system too.
Tottenham’s record at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League is dismal; Spurs have come away with victory just once in 30 games. Yet Antonio Conte is a difference maker. Chelsea supporters know firsthand the coaching ability of the Italian. It was Conte who guided the Blues to the Premier League title in 2017 just a year after the shambolic 2015/16 campaign.
So today’s clash in baking hot west London will not be simple for Chelsea, which is perhaps why Tuchel has shaken things up in terms of personnel and system.
In goal, Edouard Mendy starts behind what is seemingly a back four of Reece James, Thiago Silva, Kalidou Koulibaly and summer signing Marc Cucurella, who replaces Ben Chilwell at left-back.
N’Golo Kante and Jorginho are the two double sixes in midfield while Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Mason Mount are expected to take up attacking roles as part of a 4-2-2-2. It’s expected Loftus-Cheek will drop into right wing-back when Tuchel’s side do not have the ball.
That leaves an attacking duo of Raheem Sterling – who makes his home debut after joining from Man City in a deal worth £47.5million – and Kai Havertz. The German will need to produce an improved display after a poor outing against Everton last weekend.
Chelsea: Mendy; James, Silva, Koulibaly, Cucurella; Jorginho; Kante; Loftus-Cheek, Mount; Havertz, Sterling.
Substitutes: Kepa, Azpilicueta, Chilwell, Chalobah, Gallagher, Hudson-Odoi, Ziyech, Pulisic, Broja
