#3 N’Golo Kante
Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante has been arguably the best defensive midfielder in the last few years.
The former Leicester star has won back-to-back Premier League titles with two different clubs. The diminutive midfielder is renowned for winning the ball back, and working tirelessly at both ends of the pitch.
The 2018 FIFA World Cup winner with France would be a joy to have in 5-a-side football. The Chelsea No.7 would just never stop running, and would be virtually omnipresent in the restricted playing area. While his defensive contributions require no elaboration, Kante would also be influential in the attacking areas.
Kante would form a great duo with Reece James. When the English right-back would bomb forward, Kante would play as the stand-in defender. The Paris-born player’s height and agility could be used to his advantage. One would only imagine Kante running rings around opposition players in 5-a-side football.
#4 Mason Mount
Mason Mount’s rise to the top of the Chelsea pecking order has been rapid but fully deserved.
Despite Chelsea making a plethora of signings last season, Mount held his own, and locked his place in Thomas Tuchel’s favoured lineup. He appeared 54 times in all competitions for Chelsea last season.
Mount scored six goals and provided five assists in the Premier League last season. He has already matched that goal tally this season, and is just one short of equalling his tally of five assists from the previous campaign. Despite Romelu Lukaku’s €115 million transfer, Mount is Chelsea’s top scorer in the Premier League this season.
Mount would be at the heart of Chelsea’s 5-a-side team. His goal would be to get on the scoresheet and supply assists to the attacker. However, he would also do his fair share of defending.
The Chelsea youth academy product is the poster boy for the London-based club, would be a nailed-on player in their hypothetical 5-a-side lineup.
#5 Hakim Ziyech
Unlike most selections in this team, this one would cause a few debates. As mentioned earlier, Chelsea’s recent attacking recruits have flattered to deceive.
Hakim Ziyech, Christian Pulisic, Kai Havertz and Timo Werner have not been able to hold down their places in the lineup consistently. Meanwhile, Romelu Lukaku might not be suited to the 5-a-side style of play.
Hakim Ziyech has the most flair in the current Chelsea team. Renowned for his dribbling and technique, Ziyech would fit well in Chelsea’s hypothetical 5-a-side team.
His one-footedness would get overlooked on a small field. With a touch or two, the Moroccan would be able to get the ball on his favoured left foot before launching a strike.
The former Ajax talisman hasn’t had the best of times at Stamford Bridge. His career at Chelsea has been plagued by injuries. Nevertheless, his place in Chelsea’s 5-a-side team would be almost assured. That’s because none of his other Chelsea teammates possess the same level of skill and trickery as Ziyech.