Chelsea head to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday looking to earn three points for just the second time in 2023. The Blues have struggled to find form since returning from the World Cup break and will hope to take advantage of their impressive record against Spurs which has seen them avoid defeat against the Lilywhites since 2018 in the Premier League.
Graham Potter will be pleased to welcome back Thiago Silva and Reece James who were absent from Chelsea's defeat to Southampton, while the likes of Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Marc Cucurella and Hakim Ziyech are also available. The Blues are still without Christian Pulisic and N'Golo Kante who have participated in aspects of training, while Cesar Azpilicueta is set to go through concussion protocols.
The Blues boss and his team are under pressure but have had a number of days off this week to ensure their readiness. Potter is hoping for a strong response.
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He said in his pre-match press conference: "A positive one. We need a strong performance and we need three points. It's a fantastic game. I'll be missing Antonio [Conte] and I wish him a speedy recovery. It's a game we're really looking forward to, training has been really good, the response from the players has been really good. So we're looking forward to the game."
football.london's Chelsea writers take a look at the teams they would select to face Tottenham this weekend.
Adam Newson
There were six changes to the Chelsea side last week; I expect a similar number on Sunday for the trip to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Yet the Chelsea starting XI will look far stronger on this occasion.
Kepa Arrizabalaga will continue in goal for the Blues – and not simply because Edouard Mendy is currently sidelined after undergoing surgery on a fractured finger last month. The Spaniard has largely performed well this term and, according to FBRef, has conceded 6.8 fewer goals than expected given the quality of the shots he has faced. That is a dramatic upturn from his form two seasons ago.
I don’t expect Potter to shift away from his 4-2-3-1 shape and that will mean Reece James coming into the side at right-back in place of Cesar Azpilicueta, who will not be able to feature having been knocked out against Southampton. Thiago Silva will also return and I would partner the Brazilian with Benoit Badiashile, who has impressed since arrival from Monaco. At left-back, Ben Chilwell should continue.
Enzo Fernandez is a lock to start in central midfield and – fitness permitting – I would partner the Argentine with Denis Zakaria. The Switzerland international was in fine form prior to suffering a thigh injury against Fulham last month, but has spent the past two weeks in training and should be ready to start.
Raheem Sterling’s performance was the only positive against Southampton, so I could bring him on the right of the frontline. Joao Felix could continue in the No.10 role and Mykhailo Mudryk on the left. After starting on the bench last time out, I would bring Kai Havertz back into the starting XI and the German would lead the attack once more.
Adam’s XI : Kepa; James, Silva, Badiashile, Chilwell; Fernandez, Zakaria; Sterling, Felix, Mudryk; Havertz
Scott Trotter
With all but five players now fit for Graham Potter, Chelsea have no shortage of options to pick from for their starting XI. However, there will be few choices easier than selecting Reece James and Thiago Silva to return to the starting lineup.
The Blues backline looked less secure without the Brazilian veteran, though Wesley Fofana stepped up in the second half against Southampton to make his own bid for selection. However, given the partnership that has formed in recent weeks between Silva and Benoit Badiashile, it is difficult to look past the duo.
Whether Ben Chilwell's fitness needs to be managed like James' remains to be seen but the improvements he has made upon his return means he should start ahead of Marc Cucurella.
Enzo Fernandez has been a certainty in the centre of midfield having partnered with Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Mateo Kovacic and a combination of Conor Gallagher and Mason Mount thus far. He has perhaps looked most settled in his two appearances with Loftus-Cheek.
Raheem Sterling's impact against Southampton make him an easy choice for Chelsea's forward line and he combined well with Kai Havertz who will likely lead the line. Joao Felix will retain his place after the obvious impact he has made in chance creation too.
The final spot may be centred around a more difficult choice however. Noni Madueke, Mykhailo Mudryk and Mason Mount will all be competing to start and the latter's versatility to provide help in the centre of the pitch may make him a sensible option
Scott's XI: Kepa; James, Silva, Badiashile, Chilwell; Fernandez, Loftus-Cheek; Sterling, Felix, Mount; Havertz.
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