How Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea could line up against Wolves

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 19 May 2021 15:43 BST
• 3 min read

Chelsea have confirmed that Thomas Tuchel will be in the dugout for the first time on Wednesday, when the Blues play Wolves in a Premier League clash.

The Stamford Bridge side sacked Frank Lampard on Monday and swiftly moved to replace him with former Paris Saint-Germain boss Tuchel.

He will have just 24 hours to assess his players before leading the into battle as they seek to reignite their challenge for a Champions League place next season.

How will Chelsea line up vs Wolves?

Having worked with a number of the Chelsea players before, either at PSG or Dortmund, he will have some idea of their capabilities. Furthermore, his knowledge of German football is expected to help him get the best out of both Kai Havertz and Timo Werner.

With this in mind, it should be expected that the former Bundesliga duo may start this encounter. Both do so under some scrutiny, with the paid having struggled after high-profile summer moves that have so far failed to reap dividends.

Christian Pulisic, meanwhile, has worked under Tuchel at Dortmund and could be given his opportunity to impress in this game as the coach begins his Chelsea adventure.

One area where there will be ample debate over who should start is the centre-forward role. Tuchel has three options in that area: Werner, Tammy Abraham or Olivier Giroud. It may be that Abraham’s treble against Luton at the weekend – surely a match Tuchel was watching closely – is sufficient for him to be given the nod.

In the more defensive areas, meanwhile, Jorginho is set to continue alongside Mason Mount. For the Chelsea academy product, the change of coach comes as a blow as Tuchel may well prefer Havertz in his favoured No.10 role in the long term.

N’Golo Kante will come into this area in time, but he is out with a hamstring injury.

In the heart of defence, meanwhile, Thiago Silva is a former PSG captain under Tuchel. Expect the Brazil international, therefore, to be the centrepiece of the defence.

In goal, meanwhile, Kepa will hope the change of management signals an alteration in his fortunes – but Edouard Mendy should be trusted for this game.

Tuchel’s first starting XI?