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Chelsea play an important Premier League match against struggling Everton on Thursday following an unconvincing run of results in recent weeks. Having started the Premier League season dominantly, they have fallen behind their rivals in recent weeks following injuries to a number of key players.
Manager Thomas Tuchel prefers to play down the possibility of his side getting involved in a three-horse race for the Premier League title. However, the results have shown otherwise.
Chelsea are one of the strongest sides in the Premier League
Despite recent unconvincing displays, Chelsea lie in third place behind only Manchester City and Liverpool. They have only lost twice in the Premier League all season.
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Tuchel will be hoping his side can put their recent struggles behind them as he welcomes his injured players back one after the other.
Ahead of the midweek Premier League clash against Everton, here is how Chelsea can line up.
Goalkeeper - Edouard Mendy
After an unconvincing display in Chelsea's defeat at West Ham, Edouard Mendy looks to have returned to form after being rested for the Zenit game. The Senegalese Player of the Year made a particularly impressive stop to prevent Raphinha from finding the top corner with a free-kick against Leeds.
Chelsea went on to win the game 3-2.
Barring any injuries, Mendy will continue in goal against Everton as Chelsea look to build up a head of steam in the Premier League once more.
Right Center-Back- Cesar Azpilicueta
Impressive youngster Trevoh Chalobah is still some way from full fitness. Hence, Tuchel will once more turn to his captain Cesar Azpilicueta to start in the back three. Azpilicueta has looked rusty when he has played recently due to his lack of minutes in the past months.
According to reports, the club are said to be stalling on renewing his contract. However, the Spaniard is expected to retain his place in defense for Chelsea against Everton.
Center-Back- Thiago Silva
Even at 37, Brazil defender Thiago Silva is one of the first names on the team sheet at Chelsea. The veteran is expected to start the Premier League game against Everton after impressing at the weekend against Leeds United.
Silva exudes a calming effect on the Chelsea backline and will be trusted to keep Richardson and co at bay when Everton come along. His performances in blue have reportedly earned him another one-year extension. This would keep him at the club till he's 38, an incredible feat in the Premier League.
Left Center-Back- Antonio Rudiger
Man-of-the-match against Leeds United, Antonio Rudiger is surely expected to start for Chelsea against Everton. The German defender, 28, has proven to be an indispensable member of the Blues' backline since the appointment of Thomas Tuchel as manager in January.
Despite his contract situation, Rudiger has provided an unwavering commitment to Chelsea that puts him ahead of the club's other defenders. The Blues will be hoping he signs a new contract and stays at the club.
Right Wing-Back- Reece James
Chelsea right-back Reece James has suffered a slight dip in form in the Premier League after a blistering start to the season. Still, the 22-year-old Englishman remains Chelsea's first choice right wing-back and is expected to start against Everton.
The youngster has contributed to eight goals for Chelsea in the Premier League this season, making him a very important member of their starting XI.
On his day, James is unplayable. Tuchel will hope the England international has a field day against an Everton side without a recognized starting left back. James will play a key role for Chelsea against Everton, without a doubt.
Central Midfield- Jorginho
Fresh from scoring twice from the spot against Leeds United, Italian midfielder Jorginho is expected to start for Chelsea against Everton. The midfielder has shown his class countless times for Chelsea in the middle of the park. Jorginho is a very important player in Chelsea's build-up play from the back with his ability to pass the ball quickly and accurately.
The experienced midfielder has been one of Chelsea's top performers in the Premier League this season. Against Everton's powerful midfield runners such as Abdoulaye Doucoure, the calm head of Jorginho in midfield will be quite important. Despite nursing a hip injury, Jorginho will start for Chelsea on Thursday.
Central Midfield- N'Golo Kante
Kante's tenacity and tireless running have been missed by Chelsea since he went off injured in their 4-0 thrashing of Juventus in the Champions League. With N'Golo Kante out injured, Chelsea showed a vulnerability that was not there earlier this season.
Chelsea have won only two of their four matches in the Premier League since Kante's injury. They have been unable to properly control the game, a feat that Kante excels at.
Tuchel is wary of overusing Ruben Loftus-Cheek due to his past history of injuries. Kante's return will help Loftus-Cheek get some rest without risking an overload.
Left Wing-Back- Marcos Alonso
Following news of Ben Chilwell's return to light training, Marcos Alonso knows he has to deliver consistent performances to stay in the team.
The Spaniard was culpable against Leeds United as he conceded a needless penalty that saw Chelsea go behind. However, he redeemed himself by creating the equalizer.
Alonso is a player capable of delivering a very impressive performance one day and a shocking performance the next day. He has been one of the best scoring defenders in the Premier League since his debut.
Tuchel will hope for more attacking and defensive contributions from Alonso starting with the Everton game.
Left-wing Forward- Mason Mount
Mason Mount is quickly developing into one of the main men for Chelsea in the Premier League and UEFA Champions League this season. The 22-year-old midfielder looked off the pace in the early weeks of the season. It was revealed that he was struggling with a tooth infection.
Since his recovery, the Englishman has been unplayable for Chelsea.
Mount has scored six goals and provided four assists in only 13 Premier League appearances this season. This is a huge jump from his performances last season.
The midfielder has scored in each of his last three Premier League appearances for Chelsea. He will be key in helping them further break down Everton. Mount's contribution to the team will be important in helping them halt their slump in the last couple of matches.
Center Forward- Romelu Lukaku
Romelu Lukaku is expected to be reinstated in the starting lineup for the game against Everton. This will be his first Premier League start since he suffered an injury against Malmo in the Champions League in October.
The Belgian striker enjoyed an impressive start to his Chelsea career following his return to the club this season. But he has had to endure a barren spell before picking up the ankle injury.
The striker scored on his last start for the club in the UEFA Champions League against Zenit St Petersburg as Chelsea drew 3-3. The 28-year-old will want to add to his three Premier League goals this season when he faces his former side. Chelsea are still looking for a way to properly utilize Lukaku with all his qualities, and if they do, they will be very hard to beat.
Right-wing Forward- Timo Werner
German forward Timo Werner is expected to retain his place in the starting XI for Chelsea. This is despite another off-colour showing against Leeds United last time out.
Werner's inconsistency has been a major issue since he completed a switch to West London in 2020 from the Bundesliga. He scored twice and assisted once in the Champions League match against Zenit St Petersburg. However, he failed to impress on his next start for Chelsea i.e. against Leeds.
Despite his struggles, Werner will start alongside Lukaku for his ability to play off the Belgian striker. His best performance this season came when he played with Lukaku. Tuchel will be hopeful that he will reproduce that level of performance against Everton.
