Chelsea get their Premier League campaign underway at Goodison Park on Saturday evening as they once again face an Everton side led by Frank Lampard. The Toffees managed to overcome the Blues 1-0 in May thanks to a goal from Richarilson, as Chelsea laboured towards the culmination of last season.
It's a new era for Thomas Tuchel's side under the new ownership of Todd Boehly and co, and the club are still in the midst of a rebuilding process having added the talent of Raheem Sterling, Kalidou Koulibaly, Carney Chuckweumeke and Marc Cucurella. While Sterling and Koulibaly were able to enjoy time familiarising themselves with the squad on the USA tour, even Cucurella could be available for selection having trained on Friday afternoon.
There was little in the way of team news in Tuchel's press conference but the German coach did reflect on how the new Spanish siding could help Ben Chilwell's reintroduction to the side. Tuchel also explained how Cucurella could fit into the side.
READ MORE: Marc Cucurella's first words after completing £62m Chelsea transfer from Brighton
He said: “Yeah. Absolutely it helps with the depth and especially for Ben to escape the pressure of, 'I have to deliver because we need you absolutely now’. We have, of course, also in this position Marcos Alonso, Kenedy and Emerson. Hopefully, when things go through, Marc is the option in this position.
"But he can play very well in the back three too. He has a similar profile to Azpi, but with the left foot. He gives us many options. For Ben, he is very ambitious. He couldn’t wait to come back to team training. He looks better and better but at the same time, it looks like he needs more time to adapt to the physicality of the match itself, which is absolutely normal. It is not only about training and training exercises, little pitches.
"In the end, it is a very demanding leave. We have to take care of him, it’s our responsibility. We can’t throw him in and see what is coming. He is impatient, we will never expect him to be fully patient. He knows, we speak a lot about it. Everything needs its time. He will get the time and still, we will try to put him on the pitch as soon as possible. He is and was a huge asset for us with his speed and repetition of intensity.”
With that in mind and a series of players still be linked away from the club, football.london's Chelsea writers name the teams they would select for the opening match of the Premier League season:
Adam Newson
There tends to be much speculation as to how Chelsea will line up on the opening day of a Premier League season – but not this time around. Part of the reason for that is the Blues haven't yet completed their summer spending; expect more incomings before the window closes.
The more pertinent issue is there are still many members of the first-team squad whose futures are uncertain. So Tuchel has to go with players he knows at committed. That means in goal is Edouard Mendy and I think a back three of Cesar Azpilicueta, Thiago Silva and new signing Kalidou Koulibaly is required.
Reece James has to start at right wing-back while on the opposite flank, I'd go with Ben Chilwell. The England international isn't yet fully back up to speed following his knee ligament injury last season, but Marc Cucurella has undertaken just one training session with new teammates and Marcos Alonso is pining for Barcelona and so shouldn't feature.
N'Golo Kante is a lock in central midfield and I'd partner the Frenchman with Mateo Kovacic, although don't be surprised if Tuchel goes with Jorginho given the Italian looked far more like his normal self in pre-season following a much-needed summer break.
With Hakim Ziyech, Christian Pulsic and Timo Werner all failing to impress in pre-season, the front three very much picks itself: Mason Mount, Raheem Sterling and Kai Havertz.
Adam's XI: Mendy; Azpilicueta, Silva, Koulibaly; James, Kante, Jorginho, Chilwell; Havertz, Sterling, Mount
Scott Trotter
As so often is the case, Edouard Mendy will take his place between the sticks against Everton but there are many questions are the players who will take to the field ahead of him. Kalidou Koulibaly has suggested that he is adjusting to 3-522 system since arriving at Stamford Bridge, and that experience will likely come as part of the first team given the early impressions he has made.
The former Napoli star will benefit from the unrivalled consistency of Thiago Silva in the centre of the backline with competition for the final spot. Trevoh Chalobah should slot in there, though Azpilicueta could be favoured after signing his new deal.
Reece James is an obvious pick on the right flank but Tuchel seems to have hinted Ben Chilwell is not primed to start on the opposite side. Marcos Alonso and Emerson Palmieri's futures are uncertain, while it could be to soon for Marc Cucurella to start having trained for the first time on Friday. Perhaps there is no time like the present to embed him into the team, however.
Jorginho and N'Golo Kante may be the combination of experience and sharpness the Blues look to rely on for the first match back, though Conor Gallagher and Mateo Kovacic will be in contention, though the latter's pre-season preparation was slowed via an injury.
Mason Mount, Kai Havertz and Raheem Sterling should be set to make up the front three, with the likes of Christian Pulisic and Callum Hudson-Odoi facing a stern task to displace the trio. Whether Sterling or Havertz leads the line will be interesting to see.
Scott's XI: Mendy; Chalobah, Silva, Koulibaly; James, Jorginho, Kante, Cucurella; Mount, Sterling, Havertz.
Daniel Childs
Usually, on the opening day of the season, I find myself jumping into the dark over predicting a line-up with no previous trends to go by. But this time, I am using the template of the Udinese game last weekend which felt like a trial run for Goodison Park.
Tuchel went back to a 3-4-2-1, his most trusted formation. Going with the experienced back three of Cesar Azpilicueta, Thiago Silva and Kalidou Koulibaly. Jorginho and N'Golo Kante looked sharp in midfield with the attacking trio of Raheem Sterling, Kai Havertz and Mason Mount rotating well to create good opportunities.
The big question is who starts at left wingback, could it be new signing Marc Cucurella under 48 hours after his official signing? I think it should be if Ben Chilwell is not ready to go. Because the other options have little future left at the club.
Daniel's XI: (3-4-2-1) Mendy, Azpilicueta, Silva, Koulibaly, James, Jorginho, Kante, Cucurella, Mount, Sterling, Havertz.
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