Predicted Chelsea line-up against Tottenham: Barkley and Giroud to return?

The international break probably came just at the right time for Chelsea with some of their players looking a bit leggy.

Last time out, the Blues laboured to a 0-0 draw with Everton at Stamford Bridge, a game which maintained their unbeaten start to the season.

And their first game back in the Premier League involves a trip to Wembley to face Tottenham Hotspur.

(Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)

For Spurs, their last Premier League action came in the form of a tough 1-0 victory at Crystal Palace.

So, with Chelsea looking to maintain their unlikely title bid, let’s look at some of Maurizio Sarri’s selection decisions:

Whilst he’s played well when given he opportunity, Oliver Giroud’s start to the season hasn’t been filled with goals.

(Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)

The Frenchman’s scored just once for Chelsea this season, whereas he’s already got two goals for his national side.

Alvaro Morata on the other hand, whilst he’s got a few more goals, cut a very frustrated figure in Chelsea’s last outing.

And in a game where Sarri needs his frontman to hold up the ball, Giroud should get the start.

In Chelsea’s 0-0 draw with Everton, Mateo Kovacic started and, although he didn’t play poorly, lacked an end product.

(Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

Ross Barkley’s goal-scoring form has added a dynamic to Chelsea’s midfield that Kovacic hasn’t provided yet.

Even England manager Gareth Southgate has begun using Barkley in his preferred starting XI.

So with Chelsea’s strikers going through a dry spell, goals from midfield will be important so Barkley should start.

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