Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s Thomas Tuchel driving a seven-seater aboard Le Shuttle.
Chelsea’s manager jokingly agreed to ferry his squad over the English Channel, if it meant their Champions League clash with Lille went underway.
Sanctions imposed by the UK government on Roman Abramovich have cast serious questions over the team’s ability to travel to away fixtures, now they are on a tight budget.
Fortunately for Tuchel, he won’t need to fork out on fuel this time around, as a flighted mode of transport will get them to the European encounter tomorrow.
Without the distraction of navigating a route from South West London to the Stade Pierre Mauroy, the German coach can instead focus on selecting a side suitable to finish off the two-legged tie for good.
The Blues secured a 2-0 victory at Stamford Bridge in the reverse contest, but cannot afford to let their concentration slip on Wednesday.
Here’s how we think Tuchel’s men will line-up against Lille:
Defence
A change in formation is probably the first port of call.
Chelsea deployed a 4-3-3 system on the weekend at home to Newcastle United, but expect the return of the trusted 3-4-3.
Edouard Mendy remains in between the sticks, protected by the sturdy trio of Thiago Silva, Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen.
Silva was a substitute in the previous game, with Malang Sarr and Trevoh Chalobah deployed at full-back.
The young pair should make way for their elder co-worker now the European stakes are hotting up.
Midfield
Due to the anticipated switch in set-up, Marcos Alonso may well reclaim his left wing-back slot, having sat out the 1-0 win over Newcastle.
On the opposite flank, Tuchel’s options are limited.
Reece James, Cesar Azpilicueta and Callum Hudson-Odoi all missed the matchup with the Magpies.
Tuchel did confirm in his press conference that Azpilicueta would be available after his absence, therefore the right wing-back position goes to the captain.
Centrally, N’Golo Kante earns a rest, allowing Mateo Kovacic to partner Jorginho.
Attack
Hakim Ziyech stays put, alongside 22-year-old Kai Havertz, who rightly starts his fourth consecutive game, aiming to score for a fifth time in that period.
Mason Mount played slightly deeper against Newcastle, but we believe he will move into a more advanced role on this occasion.
Timo Werner drops out in place of Mount.
Chelsea predicted XI vs Lille: Mendy; Rudiger, Silva, Christensen; Alonso, Kovacic, Jorginho, Azpilicueta; Ziyech, Havertz, Mount
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