How Chelsea will line up in 2021-22

Cameron Smith

Updated: 10 Aug 2021 14:11 BST
4 min read

Romelu Lukaku thinks he was right to leave Man Utd for Inter — © ProShots

As the current Champions League holders, Chelsea head into the 2021/22 season as one of the favourites to retain that crown, as well as challenge for the Premier League title.

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The imminent arrival of Romelu Lukaku from Inter will certainly help their chances, with the Belgian capable of finishing the chances created by Chelsea's flair players.

Thomas Tuchel has revolutionised this Chelsea side, and turned them into a formidable force capable of competing on multiple fronts.

The German guided them into the top four, and with the addition of Lukaku, and likely arrival of Jules Kounde, who is still a primary target, Chelsea will only get better.

The Blues have lost several young prospects, with Valentino Livramento and Lewis Bate joining the likes of Fikayo Tomori and Marc Guehi in leaving the club, but these departures, as well as those of squad players such as Victor Moses, have funded the Lukaku move.

If Tammy Abraham does depart the club, as is expected, then Chelsea will have raised enough money for the Lukaku signing, without going into Roman Abramovich's deep pockets.

That means a move for Kounde seems highly likely, which will only add to their quality.

Marcus Bettinelli has also arrived as third-choice goalkeeper, to replace Willy Caballero.

So, with those additions, and the current crop of talented players already at Tuchel's disposal, here's how they could line up?

Chelsea XI for 2021/22

Edouard Mendy will be the first-choice 'keeper for Chelsea, with Kepa Arrizabalaga failing to impress since his world-record move from Athletic Bilbao.

Tuchel looks set to stick with the 3-4-3 that has served him so well at Stamford Bridge. Callum Hudson-Odoi has started pre-season at right wing-back, and will continue there in the first few weeks of the season as Reece James arrived back to training late after his participation in the Euros. However, once James is fully fit, he will return to the starting XI.

Andreas Christensen was mightily impressive under Tuchel, and with Cesar Azpilicueta ageing, the Dane will start on the right hand-side of the back-three, alongside the experienced Thiago Silva and Antonio Rudiger. Kounde, however, will replace Christensen if he arrives at the club.

Ben Chilwell will once more play as the left wing-back, with Chelsea keen to offload Marcos Alonso.

© ProShots - Ben Chilwell will be first-choice again this season

In the centre of midfield, Tuchel will have to choose who partners N'Golo Kante, although it will likely be Jorginho, not Mateo Kovacic. Mason Mount may also get minutes here.

In the forward positions, Tuchel has a plethora of options.

Mount won't start the season due to the Euros, but he will return, and he and Kai Havertz may well be deployed behind Lukaku.

Hakim Ziyech, Christian Pulisic, Timo Werner and Hudson-Odoi will also rotate; Chelsea have such a strong forward line heading into the season.

Read more about: Chelsea Chelsea Andreas Christensen Antonio Rüdiger Arrizabalaga Ben Chilwell Callum Hudson-Odoi Cesar Azpilicueta Christian Pulisic Edouard Mendy Fikayo Tomori Hakim Ziyech Jorginho Jules Koundé Kai Havertz Marc Guéhi Marcos Alonso Mason Mount Mateo Kovacic Reece James Romelu Lukaku Tammy Abraham Thiago Alcantara Thiago Silva Timo Werner