Chelsea take on European giants Real Madrid in the Champions League semifinals and though they may be struggling a bit domestically, they are certainly a major force to be feared in this competition. We’re going to have our work cut out us, and a full strength lineup is a must, to say the least.
THE PEOPLE’S CHOICE
The WAGNH community went with the favoured, and pretty much only used formation, the 3-4-3, and of course with Édouard Mendy in goal. No experiments involving a 4-2-3-1 (9%) or Kepa Arrizabalaga (3%) here!
Scoring might be a problem at times, but Chelsea’s defense have been solid as a rock — and that’s mostly due to Antonio Rüdiger, César Azpilicueta, Thiago Silva, and Andreas Christensen doing their thing. But there’s room for only three of them, with Christensen (41%) fourth in the voting here. Kurt Zouma (12%) is a distant fifth. Meanwhile, the first-choice wing-back positions have been gradually nailed down by Reece James and Ben Chilwell, and they continue in those roles with Callum Hudson-Odoi (10%). Marcos Alonso (8%), and Emerson (1%) consequently starting on the bench.
Mateo Kovačić continues to be out with a hamstring injury and will therefore miss this half of the reunion with his former employers. The community had no other choice than to go with Jorginho and N’Golo Kanté — not that that’s a bad thing, of course. Billy Gilmour’s (2%) time will come soon, but it’s clearly not going to happen in a European semi-final.
The Chelsea attack have had on and off days, but we really need them to have a good one for this game. The same trio who started against West Ham get the community’s nod, which means that Kai Havertz (49%), Hakim Ziyech (27%), Olivier Giroud (11%) and a recently returned Tammy Abraham (5%) remain only back-ups.
Overall, this lineup was very clear-cut with the exception of the centre forward position, and we can only hope the community’s faith will be repaid.
3-4-3 (83%)
Mendy (96%) | Rüdiger (91%), Silva (86%), Azpilicueta (75%) | Chilwell (90%), Kanté (99%), Jorginho (91%), James (79%) | Pulisic (65%), Werner (60%), Mount (97%)
MY PREFERRED CHOICE
I’m certainly not going to argue with the community’s preferred eleven; it’s our best shot at winning against a tough opponent. I am a little concerned whether or not Werner will be able to play to his strengths against some of the world’s greatest defenders in Ramos and Varane. Let’s just hope his goal at the weekend gives him a big boost.
COME ON, CHELSEA!!!
3-4-3
Mendy | Rüdiger, Silva, Azpilicueta | Chilwell, Kanté, Jorginho, James | Pulisic, Werner, Mount
