Thomas Tuchel has made two changes to his Chelsea side for this afternoon’s Premier League clash against Tottenham - and it appears there has been a tweak to the Blues’ system too.
Tottenham’s record at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League is dismal; Spurs have come away with victory just once in 30 games. Yet Antonio Conte is a difference maker. Chelsea supporters know firsthand the coaching ability of the Italian. It was Conte who guided the Blues to the Premier League title in 2017 just a year after the shambolic 2015/16 campaign.
So today’s clash in baking hot west London will not be simple for Chelsea, which is perhaps why Tuchel has shaken things up in terms of personnel and system.
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In goal, Edouard Mendy starts behind what is seemingly a back four of Reece James, Thiago Silva, Kalidou Koulibaly and summer signing Marc Cucurella, who replaces Ben Chilwell at left-back.
N'Golo Kante and Jorginho are the two double sixes in midfield while Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Mason Mount are expected to take up attacking roles as part of a 4-2-2-2. It's expected Loftus-Cheek will drop into right wing-back when Tuchel's side do not have the ball.
That leaves an attacking duo of Raheem Sterling - who makes his home debut after joining from Man City in a deal worth £47.5million - and Kai Havertz. The German will need to produce an improved display after a poor outing against Everton last weekend.
Chelsea: Mendy; James, Silva, Koulibaly, Cucurella; Jorginho; Kante; Loftus-Cheek, Mount; Havertz, Sterling.
Substitutes: Kepa, Azpilicueta, Chilwell, Chalobah, Gallagher, Hudson-Odoi, Ziyech, Pulisic, Broja
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