Kante and Alonso start, Hudson-Odoi benched - predicted Chelsea team vs Atletico Madrid

The Blues are back in Champions League action this evening against the La Liga leaders and here is how we think they could line up

Thomas Tuchel takes his first steps into the Champions League as Chelsea head coach this evening when his side face Atletico Madrid in the last 16.

The Blues were handed one of the tougher draws in the round of 16 as they were paired with the La Liga leaders. Tonight’s game will take place in Bucharest rather than at the Wanda Metropolitano, owing to coronavirus travel restrictions.

The Spanish side have been in Romanian capital a little longer than the Blues, who departed for the continent on Monday afternoon.

One player who didn’t travel was Thiago Silva with the defender not named in the 23-man squad as he has failed to fully recover from a thigh injury sustained against Tottenham Hotspur and has missed the last three games.

Two who did make the trip however were Christian Pulisic and Kai Havertz. The duo missed the weekend draw with St Mary’s but have been included for the European tie and flew out with the squad on Monday.

Tuchel has a couple of selection dilemmas on his hands with an almost fully fit squad and the German is looking forward to the tie.

AZPILICUETA DETAILS CHELSEA'S IMPROVEMENTS UNDER THOMAS TUCHEL

He said on Monday at his pre-match press conference: "I am totally into Chelsea, totally into this club, and 100% into this team. That is why it does not feel so strange anymore, it feels natural to arrive now with my team in Bucharest and I am very happy to arrive with this group.

"We feel strong. We know we have to be strong and brave and have the courage to play against a strong Atletico but this is the challenge we are looking forward to."

With all that in mind, here is how we think the Blues might lineup in Bucharest this evening: Mendy; James, Azpilicueta, Rudiger, Christensen, Alonso; Kante, Kovacic, Mount; Werner, Giroud.

We have once again gone with the back five for the Blues but with one change from the draw with Southampton on Monday as Andreas Christensen comes back into the side, replacing Kurt Zouma.

In midfield, N’Golo Kante keeps his place in our side at the expense of Jorginho after the Frenchman returned to form with a fine showing at St Mary’s. He is once again partnered in midfield by Mateo Kovacic and Mason Mount.

Up front, we have opted for Olivier a Giroud instead of Tammy Abraham, who was seen sporting an ice pack on his troublesome ankle after being hauled off at half time on Saturday.


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Callum Hudson-Odoi, who was subbed off after coming off the bench for only half an hour at the weekend, is among our substitutes once again as Timo Werner gets the nod alongside Giroud.

In defence, Reece James keeps his image at right wing back while Marcos Alonso does likewise on the left against a side who was rumoured to be interested in purchasing him while the Spaniard was frozen out under Frank Lampard.

That once again means Ben Chilwell is among the substitutes in Bucharest.

In goal, Edouard Mendy keeps his place ahead of Kepa Arrizabalaga while captain Cesar Azpilicueta and Antonio Rudiger start as two of the three centre backs alongside the returning Christensen.

     Monday Evening News Headlines

1. Liverpool forward Sadio Mane is in talks to invest in French fourth-tier club Bourges Foot. [Sun]

2. Leicester are said to have joined Manchester United in the transfer race for Lille midfielder Boubakary Soumare. [Sun]

3. Mason Mount has handed Chelsea a huge boost by insisting he’ll be ready in time to face Atletico Madrid on Tuesday night in the Champions League after an injury scare against Southampton on Saturday afternoon. [Sun]

4. Nicolas Pepe lamented Arsenal’s “concentration problems” after they succumbed to a 1-0 loss at home by Manchester City. [Daily Mirror]

5. Manchester United’s famed production line is in full swing again with the emergence of Hannibal Mejbri, Shola Shoretire and centre-forward Joe Hugill – and it could save Ole Gunnar Solskjaer millions in the transfer market. [Daily Mail]

6. David Moyes says the presence of Declan Rice at West Ham is focusing his mind on buying even better players for the Hammers this summer as the club endeavour to build on their presence in the top six of the Premier League so far this season. [Daily Mail]

Shola Shoretire made his Manchester United debut against Newcastle United last weekend

7. 17-year-old Shola Shoretire made his first senior appearance for Manchester United on Sunday, coming on late in the game of their 3-1 win over Newcastle, and Marcus Rashford has backed the teenager to succeed. [Daily Mail]

8. Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea is said to be attracting interest from Juventus, Bayern Munich and PSG amid uncertainty over his future at Old Trafford. [Daily Express]

9. Jose Mourinho’s next transfer move could come in the form of RB Leipzig captain Marcel Sabitzer, who has less than 18 months left on his contract with the Bundesliga side. [Daily Express]

 Southampton Vs Chelsea LIVE MATCH UPDATES!

Southampton Vs Chelsea has now kicked off in the Premier League for today’s match, Solid Guy Magazines reports.

Chelsea Line-up: Mendy, Azpilicueta, Rudiger, Kante, Zouma, Kovacic, Alonso, James, Timo, Mount, Abraham.

Alonso is back in the starting XI after missing the last match.

Subs: Kepa, Jorginho, Odoi, Christensen, Emerson, Giroud, Ziyech, and Gilmour.

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 Tuchel sends Warning to his players after Giving them a Two-Day Break.

After beating Newcastle United 2-0 on Monday night, which was a fifth consecutive win under New head Coach Thomas Tuchel, the German gaffer has decided to give his players two days break to cool off and return for crucial games against Southampton and Atletico Madrid.

Chelsea’s next game is on Saturday, and the players will resume training on Thursday ahead of the game.

Thomas Tuchel has ensured that the players work hard in preparation for each game, and he has now warned the players that despite their break, it would be work again once they resume, admitting that it’s the only way to maintain consistent performance levels.

“We had different competitions and we still are in three competitions. Normally, it can be a reward today to look at the fixtures but it cannot be a distraction from Thursday onwards [when Chelsea return after a two day break],” Tuchel said.

“The only focus will be on how to be ready for Southampton. I think that my players know this very well. We worked hard for this momentum. The players have worked incredibly hard to win all these games in a row and it will not stop. That’s the bad news, but everybody is prepared for that.

“Everybody who signs for Chelsea wants to have this competition and the challenge is now to keep on going. But we can look at our performance, determination and hunger to not allow anybody to drop to 99 per cent performance levels.”

According To Reports From Chelsea Training Camp, New Signings, Hakim Ziyech And Ben Chilwell Are Set To Miss The First Few Weeks Of The Premier League Season To Fully Recover From Their Respective Injuries. Ben Chilwell Who Is Still Recovering From The Injury He Picked Up Last Season Will Not Be Available For The Opening Game Against Brighton And Hove Albion Football Club. 

Former Afc Ajax Star, Hakim Ziyech Will Also Not Be Available For The Opening Game Against Brighton After Picking Up A Knock Against Brighton During Their Pre-Season Friendly. 

Chelsea Will Start The Season With Both Kai Havertz And Timo Werner In Great Shape And Are Currently Finalising A Deal Of Rennes Goalkeeper, Eduoard Mendy As A Replacement For Kepa Arizzabalaga.