Chelsea are preparing for their final friendly of pre-season, as they get ready to face Udinese tonight.
Thomas Tuchel will be desperate for a response to the 4-0 hammering at the hands of Arsenal, with only a week to go until the Premier League is back underway.
Tonight’s game should give fans a chance to see a side similar to the one that will start the season, especially after the news that a fixture is also set up for a second-string side.
With that, here’s our prediction for how Chelsea will lineup, with Tuchel set to trust the new four-back system.
GK and Defence
Edouard Mendy is an obvious shout between the sticks, with it seeming pretty pointless trying anything else this close to the new season.
Reece James will look to prove he is far better at full-back than centre-back, with him starting right-back in a defensive four.
Alongside him, Thiago Silva will look to show again he is more than capable of playing in a back two, following another faultless display despite the score against Arsenal.
Kalidou Koulibaly will partner the Brazilian for the first time, with his electric pace seen in his cameo appearance against the Gunners.
The defence will be complete with Ben Chilwell, who will be hoping for minutes among the starters after being used in the second half last time out.
Midfield
Jorginho’s impact on the rest of the team in possession has been clear to see this pre-season, and he will start as part of a two in front of the defence.
He’ll be partnered by Mateo Kovacic, with the Croatian coming off his best season in Blue. With N’golo Kante not on the US tour, it is unlikely Tuchel will hand him a start tonight or indeed against Everton.
In front of those two will be Mason Mount, who will be hoping for a big season if he’s allowed the freedom that the attacking midfield position should provide.
Attack
Christian Pulisic has been one of the more impressive players when featuring during the tour of his home country, and he’ll start on the right of attack in order to maintain a natural balance along the frontline.
Raheem Sterling will be eager to provide his first goal for the club, after impressing in his opening two cameos. He’ll start on the left.
Kai Havertz will operate in the number nine role, with him understanding the need to become a more regular goalscorer this season following the sale of Romelu Lukaku.